Finance Act 2006

Relief for biofuel.

81.— Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Finance Act 1999 is amended by substituting the following for section 98A (inserted by the Finance Act 2004 ):

“98A.— (1) Where the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources—

(a) is satisfied that any biofuel is essential to a pilot project undertaken in the State which is designed either to produce biofuel or to test the technical viability of biofuel as motor fuel, or

(b) approves any other project which relates to biofuel,

a relief from mineral oil tax shall, subject to such conditions as the Commissioners may impose, apply to such biofuel.

(2) An application for relief under subsection (1) shall be made in writing to the Minister and the applicant shall—

(a) furnish such information as the Minister may reasonably require,

(b) show to the satisfaction of the Minister that such applicant can provide a suitable premises and the equipment necessary for the project concerned.

(3) Relief under subsection (1) may, as determined by the Minister, be restricted to—

(a) a specified quantity of biofuel, and

(b) a specified period in which such biofuel may be produced or supplied for use in the project,

and such quantity or period may be increased or extended by the Minister following consultation with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

(4) Relief under subsection (1) may be withdrawn where any condition referred to in that subsection has not been complied with and where the Minister so thinks fit. The Commissioners may transmit to the Minister any information relevant to such non-compliance.

(5) Relief under subsection (1) may be granted by the Commissioners by means of remission or repayment.

(6) Claims for repayment under subsection (5) shall be in such form as the Commissioners may direct and shall be in respect of biofuel produced or supplied, as the case may be, within a period of not less than one and not more than 6 calendar months. A repayment under subsection (5) may not be made unless the claim is made within 4 months following the end of each such period or within such longer period as the Commissioners may, in any particular case, allow.

(7) This section comes into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order and, other than in respect of a claim under subsection (6), ceases to have effect after 31 December 2010.”.