Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

As I have said on many occasions, rail freight works best over long distances when large loads are carried. We do not have that natural configuration in Ireland because the distances are short. Iarnród Éireann has tried to maximise its operations in areas of growth. I have given some examples of how that is being done, for example in container traffic. A private company, Norfolk Line, worked with Iarnród Éireann to develop a new route from the west to the south east for port-related activities. That route was used but it simply did not work. It is very expensive for the private sector to move goods by truck to a railhead, to have those goods moved by rail, and then to move them by truck again at the other end. We are trying to maximise the opportunities in this area. Like every other Deputy, I would like the rail network to be used for more goods and services. If it is suggested that the Government should ask taxpayers to subsidise highly profitable private sector companies in moving their goods around the country, I can respond by making it clear that we will not do that.

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