Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 63, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:

"(7) A railway undertaking shall not use commercial considerations as a cause for not complying with section 36.".

The Minister of State should take this amendment on board, particularly in light of the fact that the entire infrastructure of the railway could be opened up for commercial purposes. We have seen that Iarnród Éireann does not want any responsibility, good, bad or indifferent, regarding commercial freight. The Minister of State should accept the amendment, since many people in the country would like to see lorries taken off the roads so that we can return to commercial freight. That would be a step forward.

In view of the fact that there are several companies, particularly from Europe, which would tender for rail freight, the Minister of State should consider this area. When some of those companies approach the Department of Transport, they are told to go to Iarnród Éireann, which has no interest in rail freight. If Iarnród Éireann is not interested, the Department should make a decision itself. The Minister should take this amendment on board.