Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans, further to correspondence (details supplied), to implement the air travel tax on a more equitable basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40384/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I announced in Budget 2009 that an Air Travel Tax will come into force in respect of passengers departing from Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. A general rate of €10 per passenger will apply, with a lower rate of €2 for shorter journeys. This measure is estimated to yield €95 million in 2009 and €150 million in a full year. This is not an insignificant amount of money and given the current fiscal environment, I do not wish to see this level of anticipated revenue reduced. However, I am aware of a number of issues that were raised subsequent to my Budget announcement and these will be borne in mind in the context of the Finance Bill.