Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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163. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a soft drinks industry levy; if the funds raised will be ring-fenced to fund childhood anti-obesity measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32665/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in Budget 2017, it is intended to introduce a tax on sugar sweetened drinks in April 2018, which will coincide with the introduction of a similar tax in the UK.

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 being considered and are also available to view on my Department's website together with the public consultation document.

An implementation team, made up of officials from Revenue and my Department, continue to progress the development of the tax. The implementation team has had ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including representatives of the soft drinks industry, and I expect further details around the tax to be announced as part of Budget 2018.

In relation to ringfencing, I am generally not in favour of the hypothecation of taxes as it reduces the flexibility of the Government to prioritise and allocate funds as necessary at a particular time.