Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2005
197 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Finance the excise duty now charged on a litre of diesel and a litre of petrol; the total revenue gained to the State from this source; if he will consider reducing this tax in view of the serious increase in fuel generally in order that business and tourism here can compete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17091/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of mineral oil tax on a litre of petrol and diesel is 44.3 cent and 36.8 cent respectively. The total revenue to the Exchequer from petrol and diesel in 2004 was as follows.
|
Mineral Oil Tax |
VAT |
Total |
|
|
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
|
|
Petrol |
971 |
339 |
1,310 |
|
Auto Diesel |
872 |
40 |
912 |
|
Total |
1,843 |
379 |
2,222 |
As regards VAT, all figures are estimates, as the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified
As the Deputy will be aware, changes in taxation are made in the context of the annual budget and, accordingly, any requests made regarding changes in tax rates are considered in the period leading up to the budget. The Deputy will appreciate that it is neither practical nor prudent to adjust tax rates between budgets. However, it should be noted that Ireland's mineral oil tax on petrol and diesel is below that of our main EU trading partners.
