Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today welcomed the news that Minister Mary Hanafin is to review the disastrous €10 travel tax.

Since its introduction, the tax has resulted in the loss of routes and business, and the Mid-West in particular has been severely effected.

Both tourist and business interests have long lobbied for the axing of this tax, which has effectively doubled the cost of many winter flights out of Shannon.

Ryanair is now carrying three quarters less passengers through the airport than it did before the tax was introduced and the Shannon–Paris route as well as many other routes have suffered as a result.

Deputy Carey said:

“It would appear that finally the Minister and her government are beginning to listen to the deafening voices asking for the axing of the travel tax. These calls are coming from airlines, business interests and political representatives. In particular, at a recent tourism policy forum, again the call was made to end this tax.

We must remember that the tax is in place at a time of unprecedented international competition in the tourism market. So it is much harder for us to attract and retain overseas visitors. Currently both the UK and the German governments are looking at reducing their own travel taxes, therefore Ireland will be placed at a further disadvantage when competing for business.

“Minister Hanafin has now finally committed to examining whether the travel tast in particular has been severely effected.

Both tourist and business interests have long lobbied for the axing of this tax, which has effectively doubled the cost of many winter flights out of Shannon.

Ryanair is now carrying three quarters less passengers through the airport than it did before the tax was introduced and the Shannon–Paris route as well as many other routes have suffered as a result.

Deputy Carey said:

“It would appear that finally the Minister and her government are beginning to listen to the deafening voices asking for the axing of the travel tax. These calls are coming from airlines, business interests and political representatives. In particular, at a recent tourism policy forum, again the call was made to end this tax.

We must r