Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As soon as is practicable, will the Leader invite the new Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to explore options for utilising our rail network to its maximum capacity? As it stands, that network is dormant for some eight hours of the day. It would be useful, for example, to debate the economic viability of using the network to move freight at night. As I said, this infrastructure is not in use for approximately one third of the day.

I raise this matter because long-haul truck drivers are finding it very difficult to make a living as a consequence of the new regulations. I suggest we move freight at night so that long-haul drivers can find work opportunities in the locality where the freight is delivered. Some of the regulations introduced for articulated truck drivers are pretty much unworkable. We must look at these new regulations and I want a debate to be arranged as soon as possible.