Vol. 474 No. 8
13 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, he intends taking to ensure that a move towards the abolition of duty free facilities does not take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2534/97]
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 arrangement was agreed to allow the duty free operators time to diversify their activities. In the absence of a proposal from the Commission and an agreement at Council, duty free sales for intra-Community travellers will cease on 30 June 1999.
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.
