IRISH PASSENGER TAX TO STAY IN PLACE UNTIL SPRING 2012

Ireland’s Department of Transport has stated that the €3 passenger air travel tax will remain until at least next spring because it is not happy with pledges from the airlines about increasing the number of airline passengers coming to Ireland. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar stated that a formal announcement will be made within the next fortnight but that there were “still some discussions to be concluded with the airlines and Tourism Ireland”. Adding that he wants “solid propositions” from airlines on how they intend to attract more passengers in return for the reduction in tax. He added: “It can’t