Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome Ms Considine to the committee. I have known her for a long time, in Clare, and she has done a fantastic job with Shannon Airport, so we have every confidence locally and nationally that she will be an equally great leader in the Irish Rail organisation. I think Mr. Kenny for his continued work. I thank Ms Considine's predecessor, Mr. Jim Meade, who was a fantastic CEO of Irish Rail. I have quite a few questions, so I will go through them quickly.

With metro north now looking to be advanced, it is all the more important that we have that vital rail spur into Shannon Airport. It is contained in the strategic rail review. How does Irish Rail envisage this being developed in terms of acquiring any lands along the way and having it financed? Ultimately, is there a timeline in which Irish Rail could envisage all of this being built, if it was supported by the Government?