asked the Minister for the Marine the reason, as the legislation was passed two years ago, Cork free port has not yet been established.

The future of Cork harbour is a matter of considerable interest to me. I was very pleased with the announcement by the Minister for Finance today that the Commission of the European Communities has approved the commitment of £1.38 million in Regional Fund aid towards the acquisition, by Cork Harbour Commissioners, of two cranes and attendant hoppers for the deepwater berth at Ringaskiddy, costing £2.5 million.

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 came into operation on 16 June 1988.

I have put my proposals for the management and control of the free port to the Government Departments concerned. I hope to be in a position to make a decision on this matter in the near future.

Would the Minister agree that this is the fifth or sixth time since assuming office that he has said that the Cork free port would be in operation in the near future, including at a press conference in Cork the week before last, yet nothing has happened?

The Deputy appears to be somewhat confused about this. I made the relevant order on 1 June 1988 — which came into operation on 16 June 1988 — establishing a free port at Ringaskiddy.

The free port is still not operational because the Minister is dragging his feet.

Not only is the free port operating but there have been commitments given as late as this afternoon for a development plan costing £2.5 million there.

That is a different matter altogether.

The Deputy must accept some responsibility for the——

Let us hear the Minister's reply, without interruption.

The word of the day is "obfuscation" of which the Minister is guilty. He knows very well that the development of a deepwater berth at Ringaskiddy has nothing to do with the free port. He is deliberately trying to confuse the issue. Though he promised in Cork the week before last to do so, he has not yet proposed the relevant management. I want to know when he intends doing so because merely saying in the near future does not constitute an answer. He has given that reply five times already.

What remains to be done at this stage is to get a management team there to operate the system. We are at present working within the Department developing the Cork harbour area. In so far as we can be of any assistance in that regard such help will be forthcoming.

We can do it ourselves provided the Minister allows the management committee to be set up.

I now propose to deal with questions nominated for priority.