Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will take into consideration the key recommendation of the tourism renewal group report and abolish the travel tax in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As a matter of policy, taxation measures are reviewed on a regular basis and particularly as part of the Budgetary process. The air travel tax was one of a number of Budgetary measures introduced that was necessary in the context of an overall response to the fiscal challenges we face and represents a genuine effort to broaden the tax base in a fair and equitable manner. I have stated before that the impact of the tax on passenger numbers is being overstated. As the Deputy will be aware, both Germany and Austria have announced plans to introduce an air travel tax with effect from 1 January 2011.