Tax Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Ceisteanna (106)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

147 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering rebalancing the excise tax structure on cigarettes by reducing the ad valorem element significantly and increasing the specific element of excise tax, thereby removing the tax discount for cheap cigarettes; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 12 EU member states have rebalanced their tax structures by reducing the ad valorem element and increasing the specific element of excise tax, and have increased total excise revenue return as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland has the highest prices and excise duty levels for cigarettes in the EU and already applies a high specific duty element and a low ad valorem element in setting its excise duty for cigarettes relative to other Member States. However the question of re-balancing the excise tax structure will be examined in the context of the 2012 Finance Bill.