I move:
(1) THAT the duty of excise on the issue of passenger tickets imposed by section 65(2) of the Finance Act, 1982 (No. 14 of 1982) shall not be charged or levied on or after 1 January, 2000.
(2) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1927 (No. 7 of 1927).
The resolution provides for the abolition of the excise duty on tickets issued for travel overseas by air or sea with effect from 1 January 2000. This tax was first imposed with effect from 1 September 1982 and the annual yield has increased steadily over time to approximately £19 million this year. However, with the improvement in Government revenues and in recognition of the abolition duty free sales for intra-EU travel with effect from 1 July 1999, it is an opportune time to abolish this tax. This is a positive measure in support of the business and tourism sectors and will be of considerable benefit to regional airports and to air and sea transport operators.