Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will know perfectly well that I do not and cannot get involved in the day-to-day running or operational activities of Iarnród Éireann in any way. We make policy, we do not interfere with what the company does in car parks or anywhere else. That is not our business and it would be absolutely wrong if we did interfere.

The Deputy addressed the issue of funding. Deputy Troy will be pleased to hear that over €50 million in additional funding was allocated to Irish Rail for 2017 in the budget. This will bring total funding next year to over €300 million. The rail review addresses what the Deputy has rightly identified as the chronic underfunding of Iarnród Éireann over many years and the difficulties the company faces at present. It addresses the possible solutions to that funding problem. One is further Exchequer funding, another is further revenue and yet another relates to cutting costs. These are rather dramatic and we have to make a decision in respect of them in due course following the public consultation process.

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