asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether there are any proposals before his Department for the development of the Shannon Estuary as a deep-water or free port; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

49.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is in a position to make a statement with regard to development in the Shannon estuary.

50.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any proposals have been made to his Department in connection with the purchase of land on the lower Shannon estuary in North Kerry and West Clare; and whether his Department have had any investigations made into such purchases for the purpose of ensuring that the national interest is safeguarded in any uses proposed for such land acquisitions.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 49 and 50 together.

Proposals of a general nature have been made to me by parties who are interested in the possibility of developing the Shannon Estuary, but these proposals have not progressed beyond the exploratory stage, and no specific proposals for harbour development in the Estuary have been submitted to me by any interests.

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the public Press about the purchase of land on the Shannon Estuary in Counties Kerry and Clare. The only means of obtaining information is that open to the general public, namely enquiries at the Land Registry Office. I have no reason to believe that persons seeking to acquire land in this area are inimical to the national interest.

The time allotted for Questions has expired. What does the House wish?

We usually finish Questions on the last sitting day of a week.

Very well.