Vol. 498 No. 2
198 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance if he met the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers regarding the reduction or abolition of duty on kerosene heating oil; and the outcome, if any, following these meetings. [27020/98]
I did not meet with a delegation from the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers to discuss a reduction or the abolition in the rate of duty on kerosene. However, an official of my department met a delegation from the Irish Petroleum Industry Association Limited to discuss issues, including a request for an exemption from excise duty on kerosene, raised in their pre-budget submission. The Deputy is, no doubt, aware of my Budget Statement which left heating fuel excises unchanged.
Among other items raised at the official meeting was that of alleged smuggling of kerosene from Northern Ireland. That particular issue has been referred to the Revenue Commissioners for examination.
