Revenue foregone on duty-free sales
The Minister estimated that about £8 million in revenue was foregone in the year to September 1978, including sales at duty-free shops. Blaney argued the figure should be considered when assessing fares; the Minister said that argument could be made but might not be accepted.
asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue foregone in respect of duty-free sales by this country's sea and air transport operators, for the latest yearly period for which figures are available.
Comment on this
I assume the Deputy has in mind duty-free sales on all sea and air routes into this country. It is estimated that, in the year to 30 September 1978, revenue of the order of £8 million was foregone in respect of such duty-free sales.
Comment on this
I take it that this £8 million should be taken into account in any costing of fares, as well as any other ongoing increases in costs which have been held to justify the alarming fare increases in recent times.
Comment on this
I have two observations on that. Clearly the argument is open to anyone to make who wishes to do so; whether it is accepted is another matter. The other observation relates to a point which is not quite clear in my reply. The figure includes revenue foregone in respect of sales at duty-free shops.