Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Public Accounts Committee
2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 32 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Chapter 6 - Financial Commitments Under Public Private Partnerships
Chapter 26 - Collection of Motor Taxation
Financial Statements 2011 - National Roads Authority
12:00 pm
Mr. Tom O'Mahony:
The methodology was a business case which was prepared in 2008 in Irish Rail. It took account of stated government policy which included opening new lines, that were subsequently opened, which were going to need rolling stock. Government policy on those lines envisaged more being done than has been done. To give an example, the Navan line has only been opened part of the way.
The business case was also based on projections of future passenger demand. I agree completely with the Deputy that in 2008, it would, or should, have been possible to see we were heading towards something of a recession.