Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has initiated or intends to initiate negotiations with the European institutions for the retention of the derogation from directives (details supplied) which allow private pleasure craft here to use diesel fuel which has been charged at the reduced rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17327/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Under the EU Energy Tax Directive — 2003/96/EC — Ireland, together with virtually all other Member States, has a number of derogations, which are set to expire at the end of this year. These derogations, effectively exemptions from the requirement to apply EU minimum and maximum excise tax rates, are varied in nature and include a derogation in respect of private pleasure craft.

The European Commission has commenced communications with Member States, including Ireland, in connection with the post-2006 position with respect to these derogations. In this regard, we have stated our desire to retain these derogations for public policy reasons and consequently the Deputy should note that the Government will seek to ensure that the users/sectors involved should not be adversely affected.