I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 34, 54 and 65 together.
As I stated in my budget speech on 4 December 2002, Ireland has international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the Government asked the relevant Departments to advance the plans for a general carbon energy tax, with a view to introducing it from the end of 2004. I also said that there would be full consultation with interested parties on the design of a carbon energy tax.
In July 2003, I commenced this consultation process and made available a carbon energy tax consultation paper prepared by my Department. 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. The paper gave a concise overview of the issues relevant to consideration of the proposal. Submissions in response to the paper were invited from interested parties to be received in this Department by 30 September 2003, but extra time was given where requested by organisations to complete their submissions. A total of 117 submissions were received by my Department in response to the carbon taxation consultation paper. As part of the consultation process, these submissions are now also available publicly on my Department's website.
A large proportion of those who made these submissions did not wish to see a carbon tax imposed in the State. A significant number who might agree in principle wanted exclusion or exemptions for themselves. Others raised serious misgivings about the impact of a tax on inflation, competitiveness and the poor.
The current step in this process is the examination of submissions received in my Department. This is being assisted via the green tax group, which is an interdepartmental group chaired by my Department, comprised of relevant Departments with an interest in environmental tax issues.
With regard to the specific question on growers in the glasshouse sector, I am aware that a submission was made on this issue by the IFA horticulture committee and it is currently being examined with all other relevant considerations in the context of the development of the carbon energy tax proposal. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this or any other issue at this stage.