Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Service Charges.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

68 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance his views of the suggestion that local charges should be ablished and replaced by a tax on petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter dealing with the difficulties that an extra tax on petrol may have for areas close to the Border. [10777/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, that any changes in local service charges will be considered in the context of the study on local government financing which has been commissioned by him. He has received the report on stage 1 of the study and it is currently under consideration.

I would assure the Deputy that I am aware that excessive cross-Border price differences can have an adverse effect on areas close to the Border and that this, in addition to other factors, is taken into account in any proposal to alter petrol taxation.