Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

——that the mine was allowed to transport that material by road when a perfect railway line was located beside it. There was no reason for this crazy decision.

The Dublin-Cork road is a nightmare due to traffic. Some months ago I had to travel to Cork at 4 a.m. I was amazed at the number of trucks hauling material from Cork or travelling to ports or other locations around the country at that hour of the morning, pressurising truck drivers and other motorists. Our railway lines have been left under-utilised and underdeveloped. I do not care what political party or Government is involved, the railway lines have been neglected. To make a decision like that concerning Lisheen mine——

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