Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made with the implementation of the car parking levy; his views on the implementation of a levy on all commercial car parking with a view to encouraging proper planning and sustainable transport and development policies. [42722/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Consultations between my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with regard to the implementation of the levy are well advanced and details of its introduction will be announced shortly. Experience gained with the initial implementation of the levy will then be used to inform any further development of measure; in the absence at present of such experience it would be premature to consider whether or how it might be extended.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Finance if, when framing the budget 2010, he will take into consideration the difficulty being experienced by Border region traders whose businesses are suffering, due to the huge number of persons purchasing in Northern Ireland; the steps he proposes to take to reduce the burden on border traders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42735/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to framing Budget policy, you will appreciate that it is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget on what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue which would be generated by a 1 cent levy on sugary foods and drinks; if it would be possible to ring fence this money to fund programmes to target obesity, promote healthy eating and provide staff and sports facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42755/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no basis for estimating the yield from the proposal. In that light I cannot comment on the possibility of ring-fencing the funds for a particular use. Imposing a flat levy on sugary foods and drinks, irrespective of their weight or size, could in fact encourage people to buy larger products, as the levy would be a smaller proportion of the price of a larger product.