Seanad debates

Thursday, 14 November 2002

Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements.

 

I agree with Senators' views on freight. Unfortunately there is often this contradiction between what a company wants to do and what is good for the country. No doubt it is good for this country to have a thriving railway freight sector. You do not need consultants to tell you that; you need only drive behind 40 trucks to conclude that, if practicable, these goods should be transported by rail. However, when the company says it is losing €30 million and asks for a cheque, since it is taxpayers' money we are using we have to ask ourselves how long the taxpayer will put up with that. This leads us to ask if there is a different way of operating this service that will not lead to taxpayers footing the day to day expenses. I will be looking at that. That may involve some difficult decisions. Despite what the former Minister said about right wing economics, it is a very practical way of looking at issues and perhaps we can find other ways of doing what we used to have to do from the taxpayer's pocket.

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