John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance when the abolition of the travel tax will come in to effect and if a refund of the tax will be made to passengers who have made bookings to travel after this date but whose bookings were made before this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As I announced in my Jobs Initiative statement on 10 May 2011, I will be providing in the forthcoming Finance Bill for the Air Travel Tax to be suspended on or after such a day that I may appoint by Ministerial Commencement Order. To be clear, the commencement of this measure is subject to an agreement being reached with the airlines to bring in additional passenger numbers. My colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is holding discussions in that regard.

Furthermore, a review of the measure will be conducted before the end on 2012 to evaluate its success in bringing in additional passenger numbers; if the measure is considered unsuccessful, the air travel tax will be reapplied. Consequently the relevant legislation measures will remain in place to allow for them to be re-commenced if so required.

On the question of refunds, airline companies are liable to air travel tax (ATT) only in respect of passengers who depart on their flights from relevant Irish airports. I consider that where an airline has passed the cost of the ATT on to its customers, it should refund this charge, without charging a handling fee, if the person does not travel or the ATT has been suspended at the time of departure.