Vol. 478 No. 6
13 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended to seek a derogation from the European Commission decision on duty and tax-free sales on the grounds that Ireland is one of the only EU countries without land-bridge or link to at least one other member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9444/97]
The EU has already agreed, as part of the tax measures establishing the EU Single Market, to authorise the continuation of duty free shopping facilities for intra-Community travellers only until 30 June 1999. As has been pointed out in this House on several recent dates, this is a firm decision already taken by the Council and the question of a derogation does not arise.
There are no plans to terminate duty free or tax free sales for travellers to non-EU destinations in 1999. That portion of the duty free business will remain and for certain airports, particularly Shannon Airport, the non-EU travellers are a very important source of revenue. Other State airports also handle traffic to and from non-EU locations.
