Vol. 438 No. 1
41 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if in order to insure that the operation of services between Ireland and other destinations is profitable in both directions, the £5 travel tax will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I would point out that the duty applies only to tickets for certain journeys originating in the State with destinations abroad, excluding Northern Ireland. The excise duty charge is reasonable considering that this travel is zero rated for VAT purposes and that the fuel used by aircraft and ferries in international travel does not bear excise duty. The Deputy might note that, in the recent United Kingdom Budget, higher taxes were introduced for air-travel both within and to outside the United Kingdom.
