Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses to the meeting, which is just an update meeting as far as I can see. In November 2018 we had an in-depth discussion on the problems with the site at Ballycar and the impact it is having on national transport infrastructure. I welcome that this committee, with the Chairman driving it, has brought about collaboration between all the stakeholders involved, something we did not have prior to last year. The report is almost complete. I note that survey work will be complete within the next month or so. Then at least we will have a hard-copy report with recommendations for the best solutions. Of course, we will then have to deal with the biggest problem, which is funding.

I look forward to seeing the report. When it is published, the committee should get the opportunity to discuss it to see how we might assist in bringing forward the solution recommended. We know it will not be easy. It is a piece of national rail infrastructure. It behoves the Government and State agencies to do what they can to address the problem and this committee should work towards that. I thank the witnesses for the update. The hard work lies ahead now that the report is almost complete.