John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 246: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason passenger transport operators were not notified of the changes due to take place regarding the removal of the rebate of excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services; if his attention has been drawn to the financial difficulty this has caused when contracts and costings have already been agreed for 2008; if he has had discussions with the Department of Finance in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28672/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The current fuel duty rebate scheme for passenger bus transport services is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. I understand that in March of this year the European Commission published its decision to refuse all requests for the retention of the fuel duty rebate scheme. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with officials from the Department of Finance to explore the possibility of replacing the scheme, if appropriate, by alternative non-tax financial support mechanisms to achieve the same policy objectives, subject to EU State Aid requirements.