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

I do have a responsibility, namely, to do what I can to put the right investment into Irish Rail and where appropriate to look to invest in it. I did not see Deputy Ellis’s press release or statement acknowledging the fact that this year alone we put an additional €38 million into Irish Rail although he has asked that I would unilaterally write off the losses of a company that is currently dependent on funding from large banks.

I want to mention briefly the other point. While workers in Irish Rail are considering their future options, I want to reiterate the points I have just made. The Government, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and I have in recent times done all we can, where possible, to invest more in Irish Rail. My views in regard to the future of the Irish Rail network and the need to have the appropriate policy in place are being strongly represented in the European Union.

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