asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the United States Department of Commerce have been asked to give some indication of the extent to which an Irish free port might be likely to attract American business; and, if so, what has been the nature of the reply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Free Port: American Business.
In accordance with a recommendation made by the InterDepartmental Committee which reported in 1946 an approach was made to the United States Department of Commerce in 1947 for an indication of the extent to which an Irish free seaport would be likely to attract American business.
The Department of Commerce reported that they had placed a notice inviting views in the Foreign Trade Letter—a publication which is distributed to interested businessmen in the New York area.
The Department of Commerce also stated that they had attempted to obtain an expression of opinion from local businessmen regarding the establishment of such a port, but without success in either case. The Department said they were cognisant of the value of the establishment of free ports to international commerce but that they did not wish to influence the opinions of businessmen on the matter, nor to encourage the Irish Government to go to considerable expense in the establishment of such a port only to have its facilities used by very few customers; and that in view of the limited character of the Irish market as well as the geographical position of Ireland, they rather doubted that American business would show a great interest in the establishment of such a free port.
Would the Minister consider repeating the inquiry? After a lapse of 11 years, having regard to the changed world circumstances, it might be worth while repeating that inquiry?
I shall consider that, but in my opinion changes in the interval have rather enhanced the opinions expressed ten years ago.