Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on his recent discussions with the US Homeland Security Secretary regarding the US customs and border preclearance facilities; if outstanding issues have been resolved, namely in relation to duty free purchases in view of the fact that airlines flying to the US will be classed as domestic flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28315/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware I recently met with Ms. Janet Napolitano, United States Secretary of Homeland Security to discuss the introduction of Preclearance at Shannon and Dublin.

In the course of these discussions Secretary Napolitano confirmed that precleared flights will be able to land at domestic airports and domestic terminals and that, despite the recent downturn in traffic at Shannon, the United States remained committed to preclearance.

Preclearance will have no impact on the purchase of duty free goods at Shannon Airport for U.S. based passengers as the U.S. rules governing duty free goods in preclearance will be the same as they are today in post-clearance. However the U.S. authorities do have difficulties with the sale of duty free goods after passengers have been cleared for entry into the U.S. There are several issues remaining that are the subject of on-going discussions between Irish officials and the United States Department of Homeland Security which I am optimistic can be resolved before Preclearance becomes operational on 29 July 2009.