asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement as to the possibility of establishing an international duty-free port on the Shannon Estuary, and if he will consider favourably the claims of Tarbert, County Kerry, as a site for this port.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Duty Free Port.
The question of establishing a free port in this country was considered by the Ports and Harbours Tribunal, 1930, and by an Inter-departmental Committee in 1945.
It emerged from these investigations that the cost of providing and maintaining the facilities which would be necessary would be very substantial and inquiries made both at home and abroad suggested that the extent to which they might be utilised was highly problematical. I do not think the position has since altered in any important respect.
If a proposal in regard to Tarbert or any other centre were 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.