Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

Media reports, especially in The Irish Times last week, referred to the abandonment of the western rail corridor, which represents only 1% of the total budget of €31 billion under Transport 21. I hope there will be a debate on this issue as it is relevant at the moment and it is relevant to a motion I tried to raise on the Adjournment, which the Acting Chairman had to refuse, relating to train stops. If we had that debate I would have the opportunity to say I do not think Iarnród Éireann is fulfilling its role in providing a proper train service in the west. If Iarnród Éireann is behind the attempt to scupper the western rail corridor I will be very disappointed. Dublin Bus receives subsidies and we know what the DART and Luas cost to set up and it would be unfair to leave out the western rail corridor.