Vol. 486 No. 1
510 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the EU proposals, if any, there are to harmonise the imposition of travel taxes imposed on travel between countries within the EU; and if he will outline the Government's policy on the reduction of these taxes to facilitate free movement. [1750/98]
In the case of Ireland, the travel tax — currently £5 — is imposed by virtue of the Finance Act, 1982, as amended. The tax is payable by carriers and is levied on all chargeable tickets issued both in the State and abroad for travel commencing in the State to a place, other than Northern Ireland, outside the State. It is not a barrier to free movement and the rate of tax has remained unchanged since 1 April 1983.
Not all the member states charge travel tax and those that do impose varying rates and have different conditions attaching. As far as I am aware, the EU Commission has no proposals to harmonise the rates of such taxes.
I have no plans at present to reduce the tax.
