Vol. 535 No. 1
57 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has discussed with the Minister for Finance the possibility of an excise rebate on fuel for the coach tour sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12040/01]
Any amendment or extension of the fuel rebate system is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy. On 6 March 2001, he informed the House, in response to Question No. 136, that he had no immediate plans to extend the excise fuel rebate system to coach tour operators. However, recently, in the light of developments arising from the foot and mouth crisis, my Department raised the matter again with the Department of Finance on behalf of the CTTC. The current position is that the Minister for Finance has asked his Department to fully re-examine the issue and I understand that this re-examination is under way. I understand that an extension of excise rebate to the coach tour sector would have to be examined in the context of EU State Aids rules.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 54.
