asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has considered the possibility of making Foynes, County Limerick, a free port, and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to bring about such a development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foynes Harbour as Free Port.
I have received no proposal for the establishment of a free port at Foynes.
The question of establishing free ports at other centres was considered by the Ports and Harbours Tribunal, 1930, and by an Interdepartmental Committee in 1945.
It was made clear by these investigations that the cost of providing the facilities which were considered to be necessary would be very substantial and that the extent to which they might be utilised was highly problematical. I do not think that the position has since altered in any important respect.
The matter is one for consideration in the first instance by the Foynes Harbour authority. If a proposal was made involving any contribution from public funds I would require to be furnished with convincing evidence that commercial interests were willing to contract to use the free port facilities to an extent which would justify the expenditure.