Irish bid to lower EU fuel tax hike

EU governments want to scale-back a planned increase in fuel taxes as the bloc seeks to emerge from recession, according to a report prepared for EU ministers.

EU nations are seeking lower proposed minimum tax levels and a new carbon emissions levy in a draft law that would change the way the bloc taxes energy, according to the planning document.

Ireland, which holds the EU rotating presidency, prepared the report, dated Jun 5, ahead of EU meetings later this month.