Mr. Barry Kenny:

We are in a very different world from where we were a few years ago with respect to the funding and support for the existing railway and the ambition for the future of the network. We are talking about the 19th century since expansion of this nature was proposed. It is reasonable to say that in the past one could have been easily blinded by the underfunded environment. We now very much see that we are in an era of addressing climate issues and building more sustainable travel options. The company, our chief executive, Mr. Jim Meade, our chair Mr. Steve Murphy and his predecessor Frank Allen, were all very much of a mindset that we can deliver rail services. It will ultimately be up to others to tell us the speed of the funding and therefore the delivery. That is why the we say that the ambition of the full western rail corridor is something we support and wish to see. As I said, Athenry to Claremorris is short term in the draft review. Claremorris to Collooney is currently not included in that. That is the circumstance under which we would engage with Sligo on any potential development. We would have to be open and clear with Sligo about the restriction of six months.

On the wider point of public policy, it is not for me to defend other entities, but to be fair, a full draft rail review that was published for public consultation on the environment is more than rumour. It is a clear direction. We have been involved directly in the steering committee.