Mr. Frank Dawson:

Collectively, we hope that on foot of a review of national policy by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Iarnród Éireann would be assisted in reducing its track charges. Every other railway company in Europe is being assisted by the state as part of state policy. It is asking too much to ask Iarnród Éireann to absorb a reduction in track charges on its own balance sheet. It should be treated like other railway companies in the EU, in countries such as Germany, France, Belgium and Britain, and be assisted in that regard. As I said, €1.25 million would halve the track charges for the current amount of freight that is being transported, reducing its cost to industry and making it more attractive for growth.