asked the Taoiseach the number of people that went abroad on holidays since foreign travel tax has come into being; if he will estimate the percentage that were for business and holiday purposes; and the amount of this tax collected.
Written Answers. - Foreign Travel Tax.
535.
The precise information requested by the Deputy is not available for the period required. However, based on the passenger card inquiry, preliminary estimates for the 15 month period covering the fourth quarter of 1982 and the year 1983 give a total of 1,510,000 visits abroad, on air or sea routes, by Irish residents. The percentage breakdown of this total is estimated as 45 per cent tourists, 26 per cent visitors to friends or relatives, 18 per cent on business and 11 per cent others.
It is understood from the Minister for Finance that the amount of foreign travel tax collected in the period from 1 September 1982 to 31 March 1984 was £7,137,000.
Question No. 536 withdrawn.