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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1959

Vol. 177 No. 6

Committee on Finance. - Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited Bill, 1959—Money Resolution.

I move:—

That for the purpose of any Act of the present session to authorise the Minister for Finance to take up shares of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited, to provide for the making of grants to that Company and to provide for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid it is expedient to authorise:—

(1) the advance out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof of all moneys from time to time required by the Minister for Finance to meet payments required to be made by him to the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited in respect of any shares taken up by him under such Act;

(2) the charge on and payment out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof of—

(a) the principal of and interest on any securities issued by the Minister for Finance for the purpose of borrowing under such Act, and

(b) the expenses incurred in connection with the issue of such securities;

(3) the making to the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of grants not exceeding in the aggregate five hundred thousand pounds—

(a) to enable the Company to do such things as are calculated either directly or indirectly to encourage or facilitate the establishment and carrying on of commercial, industrial and trading enterprises at the airport, and

(b) to meet the running expenses of the Company; and

(4) the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of the expenses incurred in the administration of such Act."

Would the Minister take occasion to tell us now are there any factories operating in the Free Airport development area? Is there anything happening there? What exactly is the position? We are giving the Minister certain moneys for the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited, to invest in this company. Have they at present any tenants?

They have.

Would the Minister think this an appropriate moment to tell us what actually is going on there?

There are at present two industries actually operating. In one, chinchillas are prepared for onward export in a temporary building. Permanent quarters have not yet been provided. Another industry is making mechanical bowling alleys for onward export. A third industry is about to start the manufacture of fabric marking machines. In addition, a factory is being built for a Dutch firm of piano manufacturers. There are quite a number of prospective tenants. I have been advised by the chairman of the company that the prospects of further industries developing are happily extremely bright.

Question put and agreed to.
Resolution reported and agreed to.
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