Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

NewERA has considered the business plan in great detail, the Department has considered the various components of it in great detail and the Government has signed off on it. Access to banking facilities in 2013 is important. The Deputy will be aware that the legislation dealing with borrowings by CIE was recently passed by this House, which legislation provided additional elasticity in this regard. A plan is being executed to ensure that service provision is improved, leading to an increase in passenger numbers and reducing the need for finance into the future. An increase in passenger numbers over the five years of the business plan will help to improve the company's balance sheet.

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