Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When did the Minister receive the report? It is going to be publicised next week. How long then until the public consultations begin? We are aware that €60 million is needed to maintain the lines in a steady state. Can the Minister set out the level of capital deficit that has built up over many years of underfunding? How is that going to be met in the short term to ensure that we have a rail line infrastructure that is fit for purpose and does not compromise safety?

At a time when we are talking about needing more funding, surely to God what we should be doing is trying to increase passenger numbers rather than closing rail lines and introducing incentives to encourage people to use rail services. I was amazed last week to see that operators of car parks under the remit of Iarnród Éireann have introduced further disincentives for people to use the rail line by increasing car parking charges. That seems nonsensical.

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