MEPs this month continued to demand a study from the Commission on the impact of the abolition of duty free in 1999. Members from the outlying regions of Europe, such as Pat the Cope Gallagher (Connacht/Ulster, UFE) and Winnie Ewing (Scotland, ERA) fear that abolition will have a devastating effect on jobs in isolated towns dependent on ferries and regional airlines.
Alan Gillis (Leinster, EPP) claimed 10,000 jobs would be lost in Ireland and ferry fares would be increased by 17 per cent, but there was little sympathy from Commissioner Mario Monti. He said the states had been given ample warning, and he had no intention of reopening the question by proposing a change. Neither did Douglas Henderson as Council President indicate an interest in reopening the dossier. He acknowledged that EU Transport Ministers had requested Finance Ministers to consider the matter, diplomatically adding that the decision had not yet been taken as to whether or not to put it on the agenda of the next meeting. He did say however that the decision could only be reversed through unanimous agreement of all 15 member states, and that he was not convinced a new study would shed further light on the situation. Member states were free to take any action considered necessary to alleviate adverse effects on the regions.