P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if State aid communications have been received by his Department since Budget 2007; and the subject matters involved. [29703/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has received two state Aid notifications from the European Commission since Budget 2007. In February of this year, a Commission Decision was received concerning the exemption from Excise Duty on Mineral Oils used as fuel for alumina production in the Shannon region. Ireland has challenged the Commission Decision pursuant to Article 230 of the EC Treaty to the European Court of First Instance.

The second notification, received in August, relates to the Business Expansion Scheme (BES), incorporating the Seed Capital Scheme (SCS). The notification relayed European Commission approval for the extension and amendment of the scheme. I signed a Commencement Order giving effect to these changes in September 2007.