Mr. Frank Allen:

We have very exciting plans for Limerick. We are working closely with CIÉ Property and the Land Development Agency, and also working with the local authorities to ensure that the land owned by the various parties is consolidated. Iarnród Éireann made a submission to the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport study which proposes a very major upgrade in capacity and the quality of rail and public transport, making provision for bus services. It includes reopening the line at Foynes to ensure that we are competitive in freight and so forth. We have very exciting plans but it comes down to funding. We have made the proposals and indicated how disused or semi-used lines can be reopened or where there is a single line, for example, between Limerick and Limerick Junction, that could become a double track, which would be of tremendous benefit in the context of both passengers and freight. We are very committed to making sure that we provide a commuter rail service in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area, of that there is no doubt.

On the short platforms and large car parks, the question is more the other side of coin. Acquiring large amounts of land adjacent to railway stations for car parks is extraordinarily expensive. The Deputy mentioned the example of the Red Cow. I was chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency when we were building the Luas. For the Luas lines we spent €100 million just on the property for places like car parks at Red Cow, Sandyford and so on. We will do our best to make sure there is some car parking provision but for there to be a large amount of space available near stations for large numbers of rail passengers to park may not be affordable. We have far greater support to have integrated transport with bus services serving villages and other modes.

We want to use the land we have as much as possible but buying substantial amounts of land for large car parks at a number of locations would be exceptionally expensive. I am not persuaded that it would be the best value for money. I am hugely supportive of things like reopening a line to Foynes and double-tracking to Limerick Junction-----