Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No. They are very much separate matters. A process under way on the fourth railway package is looking at the organisation of rail markets across Europe and the potential tendering for them. I dealt with this issue at a Transport Ministers Council meeting a few months ago. I made it very clear that owing to the way the Irish rail market was organised, its size and geographical isolation, I did not believe it was appropriate to introduce mandatory tendering for the entire market in Ireland. This was reflected in the decision of the Council, which is now subject to negotiation and discussion in the European Parliament. I will continue to monitor the position to ensure the decision is reflected in the final agreement to emerge from the Parliament.