Mr. Colmán Ó Raghallaigh:

It is not that there would be a rush, but we are aware of the potential that exists in the area of timber, for example. A doubling or trebling of timber freight is possible if the types of change we are talking about come into play. Even without that, it is likely that there will be significant growth in that area in the very near future. There are other companies that are interested. Three industries in Tuam indicated last year that they would be interested in using rail freight if the Claremorris-Athenry connection was brought back into service. As Mr. Knott said in reply to Deputy Fitzmaurice, they would not fill a full train themselves, but they might put two or three boxes a week onto a train that was coming through Tuam. There is every kind of possibility. Deputy Mulherin understands this very well as she is from Ballina, and her point about Foynes is very well made. A consultant speaking to us recently told us that the whole dynamic for rail freight in Ireland will be changed completely once Foynes comes back onto the map. What one will then have is the potential for growth and development along the western route on north-south axis. Currently, we cannot use that route because of the missing link. Foynes is not currently connected either. Like the Claremorris to Athenry route, Foynes is a siding in engineers' possession. It is not a closed railway either. In many respects, both are identical.

The whole dynamic of regional development etc., involves all kinds of spin-offs that not even we can envisage yet, which will come from connectivity. Iarnród Éireann must be helped and enabled on a number of fronts. It is not that it is an unwilling partner, but while it is more than willing, it must be assisted. For our part, we will continue to work with Iarnród Éireann, Irish exporters and the Government, where we are given the opportunity, to try to ensure that these positive developments are brought forward as quickly as possible so that, as the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, has said, we can add value to our existing infrastructure.