John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is fair enough. With regard to heavily used lines subsidising lines that are not as heavily used, Mr. Murphy stated that people are disadvantaged when services are withdrawn. He cited the specific example of the Rosslare-Waterford line. We discovered this week that Waterford is to lose a further four train services. He clearly has a role in this regard and is probably aware that the unemployment rate in Waterford and the south-east region is touching 19%. It is the worst in the country. The unemployment rate in Waterford city is approximately 25%.

Rail services are being cut. Irish Rail claimed that the Waterford-Limerick Junction line had the lightest use in the country. I will not argue with that, but two Dublin services were also cut. The numbers are quite good on the other two services. A policy issue arises in regard to taking services from a city such as Waterford. It has an effect on the economy and the people who live there. I ask Mr. Murphy to comment on the continual reduction in services when it comes to the city of Waterford.