An optimistic note on the fight to retain duty-free trading was struck by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, at Shannon Airport yesterday. She was at the airport to announce that tenders had been issued and work was due to begin in June on a £28 million passenger terminal and a £1 million expansion of the Shannon Catering College, due to begin shortly.
The Minister said the British deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott, who is Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, had invited her to meet him on Monday and they would discuss the matter." He said he would speak to Mr Gordon Brown. The implications seem to be to get him to change his mind on the issue." Britain currently holds the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.