Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Transport the proposals he has to publish and implement a rail freight national policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16146/04]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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It is my policy that Iarnród Éireann should remain in the rail freight business, and I am aware that the company has made great strides in the past year in restructuring that element of its operations.

As part of an overall plan to address its difficult financial position, Iarnród Éireann is undertaking a restructuring of its rail freight business. Its strategy is to develop the profitable traffic it already has, such as bulk freight and trainload traffic, and reshape the loss-making container business.

Over recent months, the company has attracted additional freight traffic to the railways, particularly from the west. I understand that it is in negotiation with other prospective customers and continues to examine new sources of business, all of which will serve to reduce the impact of freight on the road network.