Vol. 469 No. 4
27 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the growing concern at the proposed abolition of the duty free operated by Aer Rianta; and the plans, if any, he has for the retention of this service. [17582/96]
The provisions of EU Directives 91/680/EEC and 92/12/EEC, agreed as part of the tax measures establishing the EU Single Market, authorise the continuation, until 30 June 1999, of duty free shopping facilities for intra-Community travellers. This measure was agreed so as to allow the operators, including Aer Rianta, sufficient time to diversify their activities. There have been no proposals in respect of duty free shopping from the Commission to date and the Commission recently confirmed their opposition to the retention of duty free shopping beyond 1 July 1999. In the absence of any such proposals, the facilities in question are due to cease on the date mentioned.
