Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will confirm that he does not plan to change the tax rebate on fuel schemes for bus operators who provide school transport in rural parts of the country. [29467/07]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the rebate on excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services will be discontinued under the Energy Tax Directive; the reason the industry has not been advised of the situation; the steps the Government will take to ensure that contracts entered into on the basis of the continuation of the rebate can be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29523/07]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason the refund of excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services is being discontinued; when his attention was drawn to the ending of this derogation; the consultations that have taken place with private transport providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29762/07]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that a rebate or refund of excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services, which amounted to 0.34533 cents per litre, and which derogation in respect thereof was provided for in the Energy Tax Directive, appears to have expired, his attention has been drawn to the fact that the private transport sector were not warned about the situation and had entered tour contracts, school tours and generally set fare levels for 2008 in the expectation that the fuel excise rebate would continue; if in this context he will consider the introduction of alternative measures to help alleviate the serious impact that the loss of the rebate will have on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29792/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the impact on all private sector public transport providers, including all those providing vital bus services in the Dublin area, of the withdrawal without notice of the fuel excise duty rebate and the inequity of informing only public sector providers of proposed changes in view of the consequent disadvantage for their private competitors in contracts signed for 2008 for school contracts, tour contracts and fare level decision; his plans to reverse this discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29806/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 141, 144, 153, 154 and 156 together.

The Deputies may recall that I have answered Parliamentary Questions on this issue over the past year, including on 4 July 2007 and in recent weeks.

The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services.

While these derogations expired on 31 December 2006, Ireland, along with other Member States, sought retention of its derogations beyond that date. However the European Commission, who are the deciding authority, have to date refused all such requests. The Commission maintain that, in keeping with the EU Energy Tax Directive, Member States must apply at least the EU minimum rates of excise on fuels in such circumstances and that any further favourable excise treatment is not allowable. In this regard the Commission's decision was published to its website in March 2007. At the Commission's behest my officials have indicated that Ireland will avail of the forthcoming Finance Bill to make the necessary legislative changes to conform with the Directive.

In the circumstances, the relevant line Departments who have primary responsibility in this regard are, in conjunction with my Department, exploring alternative non-tax support mechanisms that could be put in place where appropriate to maintain the assistance currently being provided, subject of course to compatibility with EU State Aid requirements. In the interim the reduced rates applicable to fuel used will be maintained.