Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on any negotiations with the EU or EU officials regarding the abolition of VRT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23156/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There are no EU level negotiations on the abolition of VRT, although I understand that the Commission is considering a proposal on passenger car taxation. However, it should be noted that VRT is a national tax that falls within the national competence. VRT provides significant revenue to the Irish economy —€946 million in 2004 — which is used to fund vital public services.