As I stated in my response to Question No. 61 on 1 October 1997, the programme for Government, under the transport heading, says that key priorities will include resistance to EU plans to abolish duty free shopping after June 1999.
On my part I am very concerned about the economic and social consequences for Ireland of the scheduled abolition of intra-Community duty free sales, in particular the effects on employment and access costs for tourism and trade. For this reason I am taking an active role in the campaign to raise awareness of the duty free issue.
At the Duty Free in Europe Conference in Brussels on 24 September 1997 I highlighted the Irish Government's position and I called on the EU Commission to conduct an EU wide study into the economic and social effects on Europe of ending duty free sales.