Mr. Don Cunningham:

Deputy Seán Kenny mentioned the state of the railway line between Athenry and Claremorris. As Mr. Dawson mentioned, it has not been abandoned but is an engineers' siding. While it is true that rail traffic has not run along it for a number of years, it is relatively free from incursions and encroachments. As it is our intention, certainly within a reasonably short space of time, to operate a unit on it, we protect it. It is a section of the line on which there will always be problems, but we do not envisage any problem of great severity. Deputy Dessie Ellis raised a similar issue.

With regard to the journey time from Galway to Limerick, it is an issue and a problem for us, but it is comparable to bus times. A motorway was built which conveys buses at a fast rate. At the time the first phase of the western rail corridor was opened limited funding was available. With regard to the speed restrictions, initially there were many level crossings along the line. There are parameters on which we must satisfy the Railway Safety Commission for health and safety reasons. While we are trying to work on them and lower their number, it will take time and, like everything else, money.

Deputies Ellis and Colreavy raised a couple of issues about a possible imbalance in our position with regard to funding. We are extremely supportive of anything that will utilise the railway network more or expand it. There are extremely good national benefits of a socio-economic nature. Our restriction is purely that we are mandated as a company by the Minister to improve our financial position as a business. There are two separate elements, with one being the larger picture and the other being the company picture. The company picture means we do not have the capital to invest in these. Rest assured, we are extremely keen to work with and support initiatives in the national interest that will provide environmental benefits and balanced regional developments. There are a multiplicity of issues highlighted by our colleagues from West-on-Track this morning that we are very keen to support.