Joe O'Toole (Independent)

That should be acknowledged. I have raised the issue of rail transport in recent days. The Shannon Airport group has produced a new survey on the viability of what I refer to as the Sligo-Galway-Limerick line and what the group calls the Ennis-Limerick line. The Seanad discussed this issue previously in the context of the viability of the airport because both subjects are inter-linked. If there is to be a new and fresh future for Shannon Airport, it will happen through freight development taking place parallel with development in passenger traffic. It would be useful to have a debate on that report. The report might only deal with one county in the country but this issue has huge implications for decentralisation, infrastructure and so forth. This is the type of subject we should discuss more in the Seanad.

Perhaps the Leader would arrange a debate on this issue with a view to ensuring that this line, which should go from Sligo, through Galway, Ennis and Limerick and on to Rosslare, is kept firmly in our sights. It would be a worthwhile debate. If we cannot get the Minister for Transport to attend, we can discuss it without him.