John Bruton
Ceist:133 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if any study has been carried out by his Department on the comparative economic effect on Ireland, in contrast to other EC states, of EC proposals for a Community energy tax.
Written Answers. - Community Energy Tax.
This question is, of course, part of wider environmental and energy policy concerns for which my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment and for Energy, have primary responsibility.
While there is, in fact, no such EC proposal at the present time, the question of the increased use of carbon/energy taxation has been discussed as one element in a possible Community strategy to limit CO2 emissions. No decision has been taken on whether a fiscal initiative is warranted. It was considered that the Commission should provide a more detailed presentation of the fiscal and economic implications of the proposed strategy both for the Community as a whole and for individual member states. When this presentation is tabled for discussion, my Department will, of course, assist as necessary in evaluating the overall strategy, in particular its economic and taxation aspects.