asked the Minister for Communications if he will agree to the setting up of a Cork Free Port Development Company on the same lines as the Shannon Free Airport Development Company which services the mid-western region for industrial development.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Free Port Development Company.
8.
I do not consider that it would be necessary or appropriate, bearing in mind the small initial scale of operations at Ringaskiddy and the range of State agencies already catering for regional industrial promotion, to establish an agency for the Ringaskiddy free port on the lines of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited. However, as Deputies have already been informed, the Government are considering a number of options for the development of the proposed free port. These include a possible joint venture between Cork Harbour Commissioners and private sector partners, which is at present being explored by the commissioners with my approval.
This morning we were discussing the Free Ports Bill and it seemed that the whole authority would rest in the Minister's hands. Do we understand now from the Minister that he will also give the local authorities and the harbour commission some say in the running of this free port? We seemed to get the other impression from the Minister of State this morning in discussing the Free Ports Bill.
The Free Ports Bill is an enabling Bill which will enable us to designate Ringaskiddy as a free port and any other port or airport that we would deem it right to make a free port in the future. That does not rule out other possible administrative arrangements or ventures should they be in the interest of that area. Of course, we will be open to considering such proposals.
Does the Minister envisage this partnership between the Cork Harbour Commissioners and the private sector as a possibility? Does he envisage it as a management partnership, an investment or a combination?
It is not really what I envisage; it is really what proposals will come up for approval from Cork Harbour Commissioners and the people concerned, if any. Really, I do not want to be drawn into a discussion on it at this stage.
I want the Minister to clarify, if he can, the reference to the private sector. I cannot understand what the private sector would be doing there except as management people or people to invest in the development of the free port. That is the point I want clarified.
Management control is one area that is being explored by Cork Harbour Commissioners, and the exploration is going on with my approval. We will wait to see what comes out of those discussions and what we will do.
The Minister will be aware that the fragmentation of agencies and authorities in almost every region is hampering development. Let us ask the Minister to keep in mind that it is important that all the agencies in any region are as far as possible co-ordinated and brought together to make sure that the maximum direction is given in the regions. Is it possible at this stage to extend the jurisdiction of SFADCo which has had such a success in the Midland region——
That is another question altogether. We are going back to a debate we had this morning and we are putting down another question.
I am not sure what the Deputy for Clare is doing for Cork.