Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Minister can show his concern for the environment by taking one simple action. He must stop the sale by CIE, which it is currently undertaking, of the freight infrastructure and all the equipment associated with the Guinness contract. It is being sold off because CIE failed to secure the contract. I suspect it did not try very hard. It is now selling off the capacity that would allow that service to be recommenced by another operator. If CIE does not want to provide it, somebody else should do so.

The Minister must show his concern in this matter. Our roads are being completely clogged with heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, which are more likely to be involved in accidents and are completely destroying the environment. Per tonne carried, rail freight produces only one tenth of the emissions produced by HGVs. Will the Minister order CIE to stop the sale of not only the infrastructure associated with the transportation of the Guinness kegs but the property and equipment it is selling throughout the State?

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