Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed the changes to the proposed travel tax as confirmed by the Minister for Finance last Friday in the Finance Bill.
“The travel tax was announced by the Government in the Budget but it was soon clear that the original proposal needed adjusting as it was not equitable,” said Deputy Calleary.
“The original proposal was for a tax of €10 for people travelling further than 300 kilometres from the airport, and €2 for journeys less than 300km. This was discriminatory as it left people paying the higher tax if they were flying to London from Ireland West Airport, but not if they were flying to London from Dublin.
“The Government is supportive of the growth and development of regional airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock, so once this anomaly was spotted moves were taken to amend it,” said Dep Calleary.
“Under the amendment announced in the Finance Bill, the lower rate of €2 will apply to departures from any Irish airport where the destination is 300km or less from Dublin airport. This means that all Irish departures to locations such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow will be subject to the €2 rate. Also all internal flights in Ireland less than 300km will also only have to pay the €2.
“I want to welcome this very important amendment. Minister Lenihan responded very quickly to the issue and now the airports on the west coast will not be at a disadvantage as a result of the new travel tax,” concluded Dep Calleary.
