andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his attitude to the EEC proposals for (a) an energy tax and (b) an energy investment support programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Energy Proposals.
28.
I have to point out that there are at present no specific Community proposals under consideration for imposing an energy tax or establishing an energy investment support programme. It is true that the Commission have sent documents to the Council in which a range of proposals are discussed. Some of these suggestions, for example, a Community tax on oil imports, would not be in our interest but others such as an investment support programme might be, depending on the scope and level of support and the criteria for determining eligibility. Until much more precise and developed proposals are put forward by the Commission no useful purpose would be served in adopting a definitive attitude in relation to ideas that might not be pursued any further.
Does the Minister expect within the next year or so that definitive proposals will be made by the Commission on an energy tax?
I expect that some revised version of the proposals which the Commission put forward is likely to come before the Council of Energy Ministers next September. That is the general expectation.
Will that be in the form of a definitive proposal for decision or merely a revision of the existing discussion document?
Merely a revision of the existing discussion document.