Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for the presentations. I want to ask Mr. Meade, in the context of his contribution in terms of the Cork line rehabilitation project, will he clarify the position on track laying, the facilitation of journey times and what that means for the customer? In the context of high-speed electrification, what can we expect and how will we see Cork to Dublin traffic times improve?

The NTA was before the committee last week. With regard to the Cork commuter rail project, what do Mr. Meade’s comments mean in terms of advancing that ambitious plan? Can he put a timeframe on it and what does he expect to see under the metropolitan transport strategy?

I commend the port of Cork for the work it has been doing in a post-Brexit world. At this forum, I want to pay tribute to the outgoing chairperson, John Mullins, who is stepping down after eight years. I thank him for his dedication to the Port of Cork and the vision he has, with the staff and the former chief executive, and now with Mr. McGettigan and Mr. Kingston, to drive the port forward and to have a very ambitious plan for Cork port. In a time when we are rededicating to public service, John Mullins' commitment to Cork and to the Port of Cork is to be commended and praised. I thank him for his service.

In the context of Mr. McGettigan's and Mr. Kingston's presentation, it was stated that the emphasis on streamlining the process has not been successful in terms of the attempt to expand in the context of the national development plan. What does that mean?

I have been speaking with Deputy Paul Kehoe, who has been a very strong advocate for Rosslare. Will Mr. Carr comment with regard to offshore wind energy, which is being discussed for the Rosslare Europort?