Mr. Philip Gaffney:

The Deputy is correct. My presentation was stark because that is the reality. We will not compromise safety as that is our primary responsibility. That is why we are in detailed discussions and analysis with the NTA on working out what is the correct level of both PSO and capital funding to sustain the network as it is. I am a professional railway man and have been for more than 40 years and I am not in the business of closing railway lines but am seeking to open them if at all possible. We are carrying out a detailed review with the NTA and will be going back to the Department on the outcome of that review, laying out the options for funding models for the network. Each line will be looked at in terms of inputs and outputs. That work is ongoing and will continue for some time. However, if that funding level is not sustainable both in terms of safety and reliability and from the financial aspect we will have to look at the service being provided. There is no plan B. Nothing has been identified as yet and I hope that will not come about.

The operating cost per kilometre is a good measure of efficiency not necessarily driven by cuts but it is also a measure of the return on investment which was made in the late 1990s and 2000 in new trains, removing level crossings and some resignalling. We are seeing the return from that technology in driving down these costs. That is not entirely negative and I think there is scope for more of that.