Mr. Frank Allen:

We availed of derogations for as long as that was possible. I assure the Deputy that in making these organisational changes, while everybody was mapped to one organisation or another, it certainly did not result in any increase in employment - absolutely not. It was done to ensure that any additional expenditure was kept to an absolute minimum and it meant that people were separated out rather than bringing in a new manager here and there. It was not really the case. I am not saying separating the company into these two divisions was a great idea but it was something we were obliged to do. That is the reality.

The Deputy asked about the publication of the rail review. That is on the website of the NTA. There has been good engagement on the part of the public, public representatives and others in that regard. That rail review is available. On the question of how it is to be implemented, it sets out clearly what is required and how it can be done within the available resources.

Regarding the Deputy's last point regarding freight, I feel there are greater opportunities even in a small country to get more heavy goods onto rail. Even last week, we challenged management to say that in a growing economy with growing congestion on motorways, we should be identifying other customers with heavy goods so that we can get them on to trains close to Dublin Port or Rosslare. There must be opportunities. Rail freight is in decline across Europe, which is shocking considering our climate change obligations and so forth, but that is the case. Renewable energy is moving to biomass, and biomass is a perfect example of a commodity from forest products that could be used. We could find opportunities within biomass energy generation plans. I am responding positively to the Deputy's question. We will see whether we can get any more customers on to trains rather than have them clogging up motorways and roads.