Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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293. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the proposed sugar tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25603/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs).  The tax will contribute towards important public health goals, as well providing a new source of revenue for public spending. The Department of Health has also supported the introduction of a tax on SSDs in order to reduce added-sugar in diets, particularly the diets of children and young people.  The proposed tax on SSDs in seen as just one measure in a comprehensive Department of Health plan to tackle obesity in Ireland, which is due to be published this year. Sugar-sweetened drinks taxes have been introduced in a number of European countries in recent years.  The UK is due to introduce a soft-drinks industry levy from April 2018. The UK is currently undertaking a consultation process with the soft drinks industry to ensure that the levy they introduce will be effective from a public health perspective, efficient to collect and not onerous on the industry. The proposal for a tax on SSDs was examined by the Tax Strategy Group.  The papers are available on my Department's website and the introduction of such a tax is under consideration.