Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Is it a fact that the 2003 strategic rail review set out four policy options for the development of rail freight? Is it also the case that throughout the time the Minister has been in the Department he steadfastly refused to set out which of the policy options he favours? Is it also a fact that less than 2.5% of the country's freight is transported by rail, even though rail freight is four times cheaper in its overall impact on the economy than other modes of transport? The Minister has been lethargic in this area. He said that he wants to put resources into passenger rail transport but he has no plans for freight.

Is there a percentage target for rail freight transport in the future because it is time to take a proactive approach in this regard? The Minister said there is one expression of interest in this area. Given that Iarnród Éireann is the operator of the network — this refers to my Fine Gael colleague's comments on Dublin — how does the Minister see this operating? Is he considering the establishment of a transport regulator? Is this what Professor O'Mahony suggested? Is there a conflict of interest between the incumbent operator and any new operators?

How will charges for rail freight and the pricing framework be worked out under SI 643 on liberalisation? Will we end up in the same boat as bus licensing? The Minister said there has been an expression of interest in this issue. How can he avoid the danger of an operator getting a profitable piece of network or a slot in a busy network, selling his or her interest and making a pot of money and the operation ceases? The Minister of State, Deputy Callely, who represents the north side of Dublin will be aware of a major bus company which got valuable road space, disappeared off the network and no longer operates a transport service.

The Minister who has a grave responsibility to the House to provide a dynamic policy in this area has been incredibly lethargic. Up to now his policy has been a message in a bottle policy to the industry. He has not been proactive and he is not doing his job in this regard.

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