asked the Minister for the Marine the reason for the delay in announcing the regulations for Cork's free port; if his attention has been drawn to the great unease this has created in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter as previous ministerial promises have not been fulfilled.

16.

asked the Minister for the Marine the reason the promise made by the Taoiseach at the Chamber of Commerce dinner in Cork on 5 February 1988 that an announcement would be made shortly regarding the free port at Ringaskiddy, County Cork, has not been kept.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 16 together.

An order, entitled Ringaskiddy Free Port (Establishment) Order, 1988, providing for the establishment of a free port at Ringaskiddy was made by me on 1 June 1988. The order comes into operation on 16 June 1988.