Scrapping air travel tax is just crude populism

FINE Gael leader Enda Kenny’s promise recently to abolish the €10 air travel tax is crude populism.

Those clamouring to abolish taxes never say how the money lost will be recouped. Would he close down a few hospitals, tax food, or what?

There is no evidence to support his absurd claim that it is costing jobs and killing tourism; it is obvious that fewer people are travelling because of the recession.

€10 is a minute fraction of the cost of travel, including the ticket, airline scams, travelling to and from the airport, parking and overpriced food and drinks.

In terms of a business trip or holiday, it’s probably less than 0.2%. People are more likely to be put off by the sheer aggravation and humiliation of air travel. Fiscal policy is a question of political pragmatism rather than logic, but it is only reasonable that luxuries and anything inimical to public health or the environment should be taxed. Taxes have to be raised somehow.

Not only is air travel a recipient of government largesse, but short-haul flights consume 10 times as much energy as high-speed trains and the emissions, because they are in the upper atmosphere, are four times more potent as greenhouse gases.

If anything, €10 is too small. I would make it €100 and spend the tax on rebuilding our railways or improving healthcare.

Michael Job

Rossnagrena

Glengarriff

Co Cork