Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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202. To ask the Minister for Finance when a new tax on sugar drinks will be introduced; the estimated annual yield from such a tax; the rate at which he considers the new tax should be set and the types of drinks included within its scope; the preparation that is currently being undertaken by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9942/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As outlined as part of Budget 2017, I intend to introduce a tax on sugar sweetened drink in April 2018 to coincide with the introduction of a similar tax in the UK.  

An examination of the proposed tax, including estimates of projected yields, are contained in the excise Tax Strategy Group paper (TSG 16/02) which is available on my Department's website.

A public consultation process opened on Budget night seeking the views of interested parties on the make up of the tax which ran until 3rd January 2017.  Some 30 submissions were received, all of which are also available to view on my Departments website together with the public consultation document.  

Final decisions have yet to be made on the rate and scope of the tax.  The public consultation document sets out the type of drinks which are expected to be included in the scope of the proposed tax.  Consultation with stakeholders is ongoing and I expect further details around the tax to be announced as part of Budget 2018.