Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Transport if he considered the possibility of allowing private sector operators to run services on the mainline railway network; if so, his views on this type of PPP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12539/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with Directive 2004/51/EC the market for international rail freight services will be opened from 1 January 2006, which will enable any railway undertaking established in the EU to provide international freight services on the existing Irish rail network. From 1 January 2007, the domestic freight market will be opened, allowing any EU railway undertaking to provide domestic freight services on the network. CIE, the owner of the rail network, will be able to recoup the costs associated with allowing access to their network.

The European Commission has proposed that member states' domestic rail networks should be opened to passenger traffic provided by any EU railway undertaking. These proposals are with the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for consideration.

I have no proposals for services to be operated on a PPP basis on the existing rail network.