Thomas P. Broughan
Question:13 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current estimates, if any, there are of the loss in jobs in air transport from the proposed abolition of duty free facilities. [22039/97]
Written Answers. - Duty Free Facilities.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:29 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will outline her most recent discussions with fellow EU Transport Ministers regarding the proposed abolition of duty free facilities; further initiatives, if any, which are planned to ensure the continuation of this facility in view of the possible implication for passenger fares; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22729/97]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:39 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the discussions, if any, she has had with the European Commission in the week ending 29 November 1997, and to date, regarding the retention of the duty free industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21152/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 29 and 39 together.
I first outlined my position in regard to the campaign for retention of duty free to the House on 30 September last and have done so on many subsequent occasions. I promised to raise the issue at every possible opportunity and I will continue to do this. Most recently, I raised the matter at the Council of Transport Ministers in Brussels last week.
With regard to Deputy Quinn's particular query regarding duty free discussions in the last week of November, the House will recall from the Taoiseach's recent report on the Employment Summit that he availed of the opportunity to raise the issue there. In his intervention, the Taoiseach pointed out the inconsistency between the abolition of duty free and the fact that the conclusions proposed to be adopted by the Council required that all Community policies should be harnessed in support of European employment. The Taoiseach laid down a marker as to the importance of the issue for Ireland and made it clear that the Irish Government will continue to press the case on this issue.
As I mentioned in my response to earlier parliamentary questions, my colleague, the Minister for Finance, is currently awaiting the report of a study, commissioned by his Department, to establish the impact of the loss of duty free on Irish employment, transport and Government revenues. This independent study is expected to be completed in early January and will provide a clearer picture of the likely effect on employment and other important areas such as transport and tourism.