Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were over 27,000 total passenger journeys on the line to which Deputy Stanley refers.

The position in relation to funding for the rail network is that I have the funding in place due to a Supplementary Estimate that I introduced before Christmas to maintain the rail network as it stands currently. I accept that different parts of the network meet existing regional needs on which we touched earlier in the debate on rural bus services. That funding is in place to maintain those lines.

It is my intention to initiate a consultation process on the future of rail in the country because it is important that people are clear on the level of funding that is going into rail at present and the consequences of that funding on the Department's ability to deliver other transport objectives.

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