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Tax Yield.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2006

Tuesday, 5 December 2006

Questions (195)

Joan Burton

Question:

212 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the revenue accruing to the Exchequer from excise duties on bio-fuels for each of the years from 2000 to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41076/06]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there has been no significant Mineral Oil Tax yield from biofuels over the period. I introduced a full relief from Mineral Oil Tax in the Finance Act 2004 for biofuel produced or used in pilot projects. The Revenue Commissioners are not aware of any commercial biofuel operations that are not currently relieved from Mineral Oil Tax.

Also in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. The scheme of excise relief for biofuels will:

provide for excise relief on up to 163 million litres of biofuels per annum;

cost over €200m over 5 years;

when fully operational, result in CO2 savings of over 250,000 tonnes per annum;

meet a target of 2% transport fuel market penetration by biofuels by 2008;

help reduce our dependency on conventional fossil fuels, and

stimulate activity in the agricultural sector.

The scheme was publicly advertised in July by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. An assessment panel was established to review applications and make recommendations to my Department. The successful applicants to the scheme were recently announced by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

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