While it is true I did not manage to convince all my ECOFIN colleagues or the EU Commission to change from their long-standing opposition to carrying out a study of the effects of ending intra-community duty free sales from 30 June 1999, I did manage to get support from a considerable number of member states. These included France and Germany, for the first time at ECOFIN, and this was a very welcome development.
While I will continue to work to change this decision by seeking to influence my colleagues and the Commission, I have not yet finally decided on the best approach to follow in the light of the outrun of the ECOFIN discussion on the subject.
One substantive problem is that this issue has been closely associated with Ireland because of the strong efforts we alone have made to have the decision reversed and a further Irish initiative at Council level is unlikely to be greatly welcomed. It would be far better, for presentational purposes, if a further Council initiative came from one of the larger member states, perhaps one of those recently persuaded to come over to our position. I will check if there are any plans by other member states to reopen discussions.
At my press conference after ECOFIN, I stressed that substantial problems lay with those member states which were still opposed. Much useful work can still be done by trade and employee interests in those states working to influence Ministers and politicians. In some cases, ferry operators and other interests may not have succeeded in making their case as vigorously as might be expected.
Further discussion with some of the strongest opponents in the months ahead might be the appropriate option. Perhaps the issue should be taken up again only when the Commission document, which they promised at ECOFIN, becomes available. This may help demonstrate the scope for member states to intervene is fairly limited and, therefore, help to reopen the issue.