Vol. 575 No. 4
97 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the recommendations which have been made by the climate change strategy group to the Minister for Finance in advance of the December 2003 budget. [28478/03]
I assume that the question refers to the cross-departmental climate change team established in relation to the Government's National Climate Change Strategy, November 2000, with the remit of securing early implementation of strategy measures so as to meet our climate change obligations. All relevant Government Departments and agencies undertake the necessary analytical and other work to develop and implement measures under the strategy.
The analysis and assessment of taxation measures is overseen by the Tax Strategy Group – TSG – chaired by the Department of Finance, while preparatory work is undertaken by the Green Tax Group, a sub-group of the TSG and also chaired by the Department of Finance. In so far as my Department is concerned, proposals for a carbon energy tax have been presented to both groups in advance of past budgets.
Following the announcement by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2003, the Department of Finance undertook a consultation process in regard to the design of a carbon energy tax. My Department submitted views to the consultation process. I understand the Department of Finance is examining in detail the submissions received, and I am liaising closely with the Minister for Finance on the next steps in the process.
