Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator MacSharry was disgraceful. There are two issues involved here, and we would not want to get carried away. One is cost control, which Irish Rail must address. Its accounts show it has a job to do there. Equally, we cannot expect, as Senator MacSharry implied, that the taxpayer must continually be screwed for everything, regardless. We no longer live in such a State. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, is sounding a note of caution. Senator O'Sullivan rightly points out that we do not have a difficulty on the southern route. We are giving it good use and we often have difficulty fighting for a seat but more power to those who are coming from Cork, Kerry and joining the trains at Charleville, Limerick Junction and even Thurles. The trains coming up in the mornings and returning in the evenings are full, as we know well. Many of the inter-city services are very well used. If what Senator MacSharry said about Sligo is true, it is up to the chamber of commerce and the local communities to be more active in promoting increased rail use if that is required. We cannot expect the taxpayer to continue to fund it regardless. That is the message.