In the six years since the EU decided to call time on duty-free sales, operators have sat on their hands, hoping that Brussels would run true to form and either fudge the issue or amend the ruling, effectively maintaining the status quo. Now, with the deadline looming on the horizon, airport authorities and ferry companies are bleating mightily about lost revenue, lost jobs and rising costs.

The blushing Brussels maiden may say no, but then again she might mean maybe. Brussels this week showed some rare resolve in emphasising that in the EU club, members must play to the agreed rules, setting its face against any dilution of its decision to pull the plug on the duty-free income bonanza. At a meeting of finance ministers this week, the German Finance Minister, Mr Theo Waigel, implied that the duty-free issue was a dead duck. Mr McCreevy is under pressure from the vociferous pro-lobby to secure a derogation. He will have his work cut out.