Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My questions follow on from those of Senator Gallagher. I am a great believer in using high-speed rail but it tends to be between two major urban conglomerations anywhere else it is used in the world, for example, in China, Japan or elsewhere in Europe, such as the Madrid to Seville line. My question is about the economics of the proposal. Are the numbers there for the line to be viable? Is there a danger that if we provide a rapid rail service such as this, the airports in Derry and Donegal would be made redundant?

My other question relates to experience around rail generally. Those of us in other regions are trying to get Iarnród Éireann to invest in the existing rail network. Where does Mr. Aughey suggest the funding for this project will come from? Will it be private sector investment or a combination of the State and some private entity?