Vol. 480 No. 2
156 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the steps, if any, he proposes to take to safeguard duty free sales after 1999 as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/97]
As the Deputy is aware, the decisions to end duty free facilities for intra-community travel, with effect from 30 June 1999, have already been taken by the ECOFIN Council and enacted into Community law as part of the agreement on the EU single market.
This decision can only be reversed by unanimous agreement at Council, following a proposal from the Commission. So far, the Commission has maintained that it is not prepared to put fresh proposals to the Council for any extension beyond the existing date.
To help inform any future discussions of this issue, at both domestic and EU level, my predecessor announced the intention to undertake an independent study into the consequences for Ireland of ending duty free sales. Following the open tender process started by my predecessor, I hope to be able to announce the award of a contract for this work shortly.
I will then decide the most appropriate course of action after I have examined the results of the study, which should be completed by the autumn.
