86 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if, in relation to the withdrawal in 1988 by the Revenue Commissioners of the administrative concession that allowed the use of marked gas oil in mobile cranes, he will make a statement on the potential loss of competitiveness of Irish industry vis-à-vis Northern Ireland where no such prohibitive handicap is imposed.
Written Answers. - Use of Oils by Mobile Cranes.
87 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if, in light of his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 150, 151 and 152 to Deputy Byrne on 23 March 1993, to the effect that no figures relating to the effect on the Exchequer of the withdrawal of the concession allowing for the use of marked gas oil as fuel in mobile cranes are available, he will give details of the numbers of other such administrative changes which have been effected but for which no figures are available to qualify and quantify the results; his views on whether the lack of such figures is an unacceptable situation which should be corrected; the plans, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
88 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if, in light of his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 150, 151 and 152 to Deputy Byrne on 23 March 1993 to the effect that no figures relating to the effect on the Exchequer of the withdrawal of the concession allowing for the use of marked gas oil as fuel in mobile cranes are available, he will give details of the way in which he can claim that such changes will in fact be to the benefit of the Exchequer in particular and the economy in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
89 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the use in this country of rebated heavy oils as defined in the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act, 1979 (UK); and the circumstances, if any, in which it is legal to use this oil in mobile cranes operated by Irish and Northern Irish companies or operators.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 to 89, inclusive, together.