Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

10:00 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received a submission from the solid fuel trade group in respect of the impact of carbon tax in view of the country's economic position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29315/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received a submission from the solid fuel trade group in respect of the impact of carbon tax in view of the country's economic position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29864/10]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.

I can confirm that my Department has received many submissions in respect of the carbon tax including from the Solid Fuel Trade Group. I am happy to outline to the Deputy the current situation on the implementation of the carbon tax, at a rate of €15 per tonne, which I announced in the Budget last December. The first phase involved the carbon tax being applied to transport fuels, petrol and auto-diesel, from Budget night onwards, ie, December 10, 2009. The second phase came into effect from 1 May 2010 with the carbon tax applying to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as 'green diesel' or 'agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas. The third and final phase involves the application of the tax to coal and commercial peat, which is subject to a Ministerial Commencement Order.

Solid fuels are subject to a commencement order so as to allow time for issues such as fuel poverty and the sourcing of coal of a lower environmental standard from Northern Ireland to be addressed. In the context of preparing for the final phase of the application of the carbon tax the views of the Solid Fuel Trade Group are being considered and indeed meetings have taken place with the relevant Government Departments in this area.

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