Mr. Frank Dawson:

I wish to clarify that. Rail freight is profitable before the application of track charges. The point is that the track charges are five to six times higher in Ireland than in Britain. If the average European track charges were applied in Ireland, there would be a net profit on all freight traffic. Obviously, this would create the opportunity for growth. In Britain, France and certain other countries, the reduction in freight charges is subsidised formally by the state because they believe they get a four-point return on investing in subsidisation. As I stated, our charges are so far out of kilter with those of other European countries that it is very difficult for Iarnród Éireann to compete. Therefore, the loss of track-charge revenue owing to a reduction would have to be met by the State, as is the case in Britain and other countries.