Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance in the context of the possible abolition of the air travel tax, his plans to meet with Irish airlines to discuss alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44961/10]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish the air travel tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44962/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together.

As in the case for all taxes, the options surrounding the Air Travel Tax will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget. I have, however, no plans to abolish the air travel tax. In that context I would draw to the Deputy's attention that Ireland is not unique in regard to applying a tax on air travel. A number of countries within the EU apply similar taxes including the UK and France. Going further afield such taxes are applied by Australia and New Zealand. The U.S., in 2009, introduced a tourist tax on tourists travelling to the U.S. by air. In addition, Germany and Austria are currently in the process of introducing an air travel tax with effect from 1 January 2011.