AQW 8106/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 02/10/2020
Answered On Date: 19/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail his current position concerning the designation of Foyle Port as a Free Port.

Answer:

Policy on Freeports is being developed by the Treasury and I wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in August to call for substantive engagement on this so that the Executive can assess their potential.

While my department, in conjunction with relevant Executive departments, has been engaging with the Treasury, limited detail has been shared at this point. My officials continue to press for that to understand fully the implications for our economy and any potential role the Executive might have in creating Freeports locally.