Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2010
71 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance his plans for lifting the burden of carbon tax on road hauliers; if he will consider a scrappage scheme to assist road hauliers in replacing older vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/10]
View answerI have no plans to exempt any sector from the carbon tax. The only reliefs from the carbon tax are for those companies that participate in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Unlike the scrappage scheme that currently exists for passenger cars (category A) whereby VRT relief of up to €1,500 is available where a new car of CO2 emission Bands A or B is purchased (these have a VRT liability of 14% and 16% of the price of the cars, respectively), commercial vehicles attract a standard VRT liability of €50 (Category C). Accordingly, a scrappage scheme would be of little benefit.
72 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his views on proposals to impose a tax or levy on text messages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37831/10]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, it is not customary for the Minister for Finance to comment on possible tax and expenditure changes in advance of the Budget.
