Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance if incoming tour operators who bring business into Ireland will be included as a category in the forthcoming jobs initiative scheme to be implemented on 1 July 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is understood that the question relates to the Air Travel Tax (ATT). The ATT is currently applied at the rate of €3 to all passenger departures from Irish airports whose passenger departure numbers are greater than 50,000 in the preceding year. The Finance (No 2) Act 2011 provides for the suspension of the ATT to all departures. The ATT rate will now be reduced to zero on or after such a day as the Minister for Finance may appoint by Commencement Order.

This measure is subject to an agreement being reached with the airlines to bring in additional passenger numbers. The Minister for Transport is holding discussions with airlines in that regard. Consequently, the measure would affect all passengers independent of the place of establishment of the tour operator that may have organised their travel.