Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the Taoiseach's comments about ownership, it is not an obstacle to something like applying for tier 1 status. Given that applying for tier 1 status for Rosslare was in the 2016 programme for Government, I think it should be re-entered into the current programme for Government. I remind the Taoiseach that Foynes did not meet the requirements either. It was intimated that it was more to do with the Minister for Finance at the time coming from the same county. I appreciate the Taoiseach's comments about the free zone. He will know that Britain is preparing to apply for ten free zones post Brexit to prepare for the backlash of leaving the EU. I propose that Rosslare Europort become a free zone to allow an intake of stored goods and supplies that was not necessary until now because of the customs union. We tend not to store products. We must capitalise where possible and make Rosslare a free zone, which is the smartest way to allay fears that cash flows will be eaten up by duties and taxes on goods and storage, which will only serve to drive costs up again if that storage is not contained in a free zone. The land is available around Rosslare. The interest has been mooted, as the Taoiseach said. Brexit makes it a necessity. Will the Taoiseach make a further comment on whether or not it is the intention to create a free zone to combat ten free zones being prepared by the UK?

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