Niamh Smyth
Question:95. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance his plans if any to introduce a sugar tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/16]
View answerThursday, 21 July 2016
Questions (95)
Written answers
The Programme for Partnership Government commits to the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs). The tax will contribute towards important public health goals, as well providing a new source of revenue for public spending and decreases in personal income taxation. The tax on sugar-sweetened drinks has been proposed by the Department of Health in order to reduce added-sugar in diets, particularly the diets of children and young people, and comprises one measure in a comprehensive Department of Health plan to tackle obesity in Ireland, which is due to be published this year. Sugar-sweetened drinks taxes have been introduced in a number of European countries in recent years, with the UK due to introduce a soft-drinks industry levy from 2018. The design and implementation of the tax is a matter for the budgetary process.