Government to tinker with Air Travel Tax ?

Fine Gael's Deputy Spokesman on Foreign Affairs and T.D. for Clare, Pat Breen has been told today by the Minister  for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D. that the Minister looks likely to examine concerns raised in relation to the effect of the €10 Air Travel Tax on the aviation sector in the context of the Finance Bill.

Deputy Breen said " I hope the message is finally getting through loud and clear. The introduction of this tax in it's current form places air travel at a competitive disadvantage. It is bad for Shannon Airport and it is bad for the tourist sector in this region. I await the Finance Bill with interest to see how the Minister intends to address these concerns."

Replying to Deputy Breen's question in the Dail, Minister Lenihan said that "This measure is estimated to yield €95m in 2009 and €150m in a full year. This is not an insignificant amount of money and given the current fiscal environment, I not wish to see this level of anticipated revenue reduced. However, I am aware of a number of issues that were raised subsequent to my Budget announcement and these will be borne in mind in context of the Finance Bill.