Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I presume the Senator is not asking me at a personal level. This forms part of an ambitious project between Limerick and Sligo but I do not think the Government has made a definite commitment in respect of the Sligo end. That may be a long-term ambition, although one or two Ministers may have made a commitment to it. I would be misleading the Senator in suggesting the Government as a whole had made such a commitment. What I said does not represent an unqualified, immediate commitment to phases 2 and 3.

I have experience of the system elsewhere and timetabling is crucial. Services can be timetabled in order that a regional or intercity connection is provided or they are of use to commuters. If we are to make real use of a railway line, it must serve commuters by providing an aid in getting to work. I do not have details, unlike the Senator, but I would be surprised if there was not a train service arriving in Galway between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and leaving Galway between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. I am sure there will be a train; I cannot believe they would miss that trick.