Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

We have been discussing disability. The greatest assault on disability is to reduce or end a service. The possible closure of rail lines affects all passengers. This is a major issue of concern. The Taoiseach indicated yesterday that there would be no closures on his watch, and that is welcome, as far as it goes. However, the NTA made it clear that there is a need for an investment of in the region of €466 million in order to make these rail lines genuinely sustainable. There is no point in keeping ghost or skeleton services going. They have to be genuine, proper services and that requires a significant investment and a reversal of the cuts we have seen in recent years. I hope the Minister is in a position to follow up on the comments of the Taoiseach by committing on the money front.