Gay Mitchell
Ceist:77 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has assessed the impact of a carbon tax on Irish industry and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Carbon/Energy Tax Proposal.
Since the original EU proposal in June `92 for a carbon/energy tax a number of differing proposals have also been considered by EU member states, but as yet none of these proposals has received sufficient support from among EU member states to warrant their being regarded as serious options.
Because of my concerns for the competitiveness of Irish industry generally, I commissioned a consultancy study early last year on the likely impact of a carbon/energy on Irish industry. In October 1993 the consultants reported that depending on the precise configuration of such a carbon energy tax there could be adverse implications for Irish business operations, in particular for energy intensive industry.
I anticipate that further discussions towards the introduction of such a tax may be initiated by the EU during the course of the German Presidency of the EU.
Because of my concerns on this issue officials in my Department will continue to closely monitor all developments regarding EU proposals to introduce such a tax.