Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Higgins on the need for reform of our public procurement and public spending code. That is going to happen in the second quarter of this year, so as to ensure we take a wider account of environmental benefits. My understanding is that the shadow price of carbon, which used to be something like €50 a tonne, is going to go over €300 per tonne.

There is also the need for more qualitative assessment of other variables so it is not just a time reduction cost-benefit equation, which is what it used to be. That needs to change.

On the western rail corridor, I agree. The strategic rail review is due. One of the most difficult areas in decarbonisation of transport is freight. We will have to have radical reform. Our ports will have to change. It is deeply embarrassing to look at the percentage of rail freight. Rail freight has challenges and difficulties but we need to change our ports so they are part of the more sustainable future. As part of that, we can invest in Rosslare, open up the line from Rosslare to Waterford and, as the Senator says, do the section from Athenry to Claremorris. Then, strategically, there is a western rail corridor running all the way from Rosslare to Ballina and Westport. All the industries along it will have connectivity to deep water ports in Shannon Foynes, Cork, Waterford and Rosslare by rail, as well as Dublin Port. Dublin Port needs to-----