Vol. 443 No. 4
121 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment his views on the proposal from the Greek presidency of the EU Environment Ministers' Council on 8-9 June concerning an energy/CO 2 tax; the position he intends to take on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Discussions have been underway for some time at EU Council level on a proposal from the European Commission for a carbon-energy tax. The Irish position is that we would be prepared to support the introduction of such a tax provided certain concerns are satisfactorily addressed. These concerns relate to ensuring that any agreement takes account of the different levels of economic and social development in individual member states; satisfactory provision as regards the impact on the peat sector and the maintenance of the competitiveness of EU industry generally and of energy intensive industries facing competition from firms not subject to similar charges.
The Greek Presidency proposals on the carbon-energy tax will be considered at the Committee of Permanent Representatives on June 1 before being examined by the Environment Council on 8-9 June. The Irish position will be framed having regard to the concerns which I have outlined.
