Brian O'Shea
Ceist:146 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by his Department in its consideration of the consultation papers on carbon taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004
146 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by his Department in its consideration of the consultation papers on carbon taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, and following on my Budget Statement regarding carbon energy taxation in December 2002, I published a carbon energy tax consultation paper, prepared by my Department, on 31 July of last year. This consultation paper was designed to facilitate discussions on the introduction and design of the carbon energy tax while recognising that there are divergent views on the issue. Submissions in response to the paper were invited from interested parties to be received in my Department by 30 September 2003, but extra time was given where requested by organisations to complete their submissions. Some 117 submissions have been received by my Department in response to the carbon taxation consultation paper. My Department is examining the submissions, many of which are quite lengthy and detailed. As part of the consultation process, these submissions are now also available publicly via my Department's website.