Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to proposals for the stamp duty levied on credit cards to be donated to a charitable body or sporting organisation of the customer's choice; if this proposal has been examined by his officials; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of this proposal; if he is in favour of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28295/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of a proposal for the stamp duty levied on credit cards to be donated to a charitable body or sporting organisation.

The stamp duty yield over recent years is:

2004 €59m

2005 €63.8m

2006 €67.3m (provisional estimate)

These revenues are applied by the Exchequer for the common good, as determined by the Oireachtas. I do not favour earmarked taxes in general, as this reduces the role of Government and the Oireachtas in determining the priority areas in which public money should be spent.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to proposals to regulate for a certain percentage of the expenditure on credit cards to be donated to a charitable body or sporting organisation of the customer's choice; if this proposal has been examined by his officials; if he is in favour of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28296/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no proposals to regulate in this area in the manner outlined.

The Deputy will however be aware a number of financial institutions offer affinity credit card services to their customers through which support can be provided for good causes on a voluntary basis.