Fine Gael should reconsider their plans to scrap the Air Travel Tax an alliance of environmental groups said in advance of the proposed Dáil motion.
Friends of the Earth, An Taisce, CELT, the Centre for Environmental Living and Training, and Forest Friends called for Fine Gael to “think again”. They claim that the issues facing Irish tourism will not be addressed by the removal of the tax, levied at €2 for destinations less than 300km from Dublin and €10 for all other flights.

“We are on the cusp of major change arising from the overuse of the resources upon which we all depend” stated James Nix, a spokesman for the environmental groups. “It is essential then that in dealing with the challenges facing Irish tourism politicians apply the principles of sustainable development in all their decision-making.”

“The real challenge is to smooth the path for a sustainable model of tourism, and one that will stand Ireland in good stead beyond 2012 as well as before. We would urge Fine Gael to look at New Zealand’s tourism strategy which uses the values of hospitality and guardianship to provide the foundation for a sustainable approach to the development of their tourism industry.”

The environmental groups claim that while incoming visitors spend an average of €610 during their stay €878 is spent by the average Irish traveller abroad. (Both figures include the cost of travel). The travel tax is estimated to result in a net annual gain of €375m in overall spending to the Irish economy. In other words, while the travel tax is bad for some airlines and airports, it means more money stays in Ireland, and has a positive effect in overall terms.

The environmentalists advocate a shift from taxes on income and profits to tax on consumption of natural resources. This position is backed by the OECD which recommends the phasing our of all environmentally harmful subsidies, and the replacement of some current taxes with appropriate environmentally related fiscal measures in the framework of a comprehensive environmental tax reform.

“Flying is at least three times more polluting than any other means of travel. The levels of energy used are staggering. A kilogramme of jet fuel translates into more than 3kg of carbon emissions. Or to put it in relative terms, each passenger on board one return transatlantic flight will account for the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions as the average motorist will clock up over the course of a full year” said Mr Nix. “Over the coming years aviation is going to get more and moreexpensive. From 2012 the carbon dioxide released by aircraft will be levied under the EU’s emissions trading scheme. It is little wonder that aviation is under the environmental spotlight.”

The environmental groups have outlined measures to assist the Irish tourism sector to become more resilient as the cost of air travel rises. These include the development of ferry services such as the recent re-introduction of the Cork-Swansea route, more legible signage, and better information on the respective merits of different travel options within Ireland.