Vol. 488 No. 1
56 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has estimated the cost to Irish exporters of increased ferry charges arising from the abolition of duty free sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5600/98]
The future of duty free sales is a very important issue and one of concern to this Government. For this reason, I intend to raise the issue with Chancellor Gordon Brown, the present chairman of ECOFIN. I announced this in my press statement of 23 February and I will be emphasising the need to have the future of duty free revisited at ECOFIN.
As I have informed the House on many occasions, I am concerned about the likely impact the abolition of duty free sales could have on our economy. As an island we are likely to be disproportionately affected and this is one of the reasons independent consultants are conducting a study in this area. The information obtained from this study will be crucial in assessing both how to take this issue forward, and what the impact will be on different transport sectors.
