Mr. Ken Spratt:

In 2022, we had been considering the connection of Foynes Port to Limerick for a number of years. There is some important background context. We are required, under EU regulation, to ensure our core ports are connected by 2030.

That has been a long-standing EU requirement. It is mentioned in the national planning framework, NDP 2020, NDP 2025 and our national ports policy. They all commit to this link. The climate action plan is looking for the decarbonisation of rail freight so that was a factor. It is important to note it was an all-island strategic rail review that has come forward with suggestions, and the connection of Shannon Foynes Port was mentioned in that.