Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - Duty Free Sales.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

63 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if he has, formally or informally, raised the issue of the abolition of duty free sales within the EU at the ECOFIN Council since 9 October 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19698/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I have not raised the issue of the abolition of duty free, either formally or informally, at the ECOFIN Council at any time since 8 October 1997.

The Irish position is well known to the Council and the Commission. While I will encourage our partners to support the call on the Commission to undertake an EU wide study into the impact that the abolition of duty free sales may cause, there is no point in my going back to the Council without further information on the consequences for Ireland of the ending of duty free sales.

As I have already reported to this House, I have commissioned consultants to examine the consequences for Ireland of the ending of duty free sales. The results from this study will give a sound basis for our contribution to any further discussions on this topic, both at the ECOFIN Council, and in Europe more generally. I understand that work is also going on in other member states to look at the consequences of the abolition of duty free sales — with particular concerns on unemployment.

My study is not likely to be completed until the end of the year.