Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 3

Written Answers. - Duty Free Facilities.

Michael Noonan

Question:

19 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the Government's policy on the provision of duty free facilities; the extent to which this position has been eroded by the proposals of the EC Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds):

To date the Government have been favourably disposed towards the availability of duty free arrangements to the travelling public.

As the Deputy knows, the operation of such facilities currently requires customs checks at border posts and other entry points in order to prevent abuse of the various permitted entitlements. As fiscal border checks at internal Community frontiers will be prohibited on completion of the Internal Market, it is clear that the continuation of duty free facilities as currently operated will not be possible. While their present proposals involve the termination of such arrangements — at least for intra-Community travel — the Commission has assured the European Parliament that final decisions will not be taken until the impact of the abolition of duty free has been studied.

The future of duty free arrangements post-1992 has yet to be considered by the Council of Ministers. The Government's attitude in the matter will be determined in due course taking into account the concern of all interests involved, including those of the Exchequer and the operators.