Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that no further Iarnród Éireann freight related capital equipment or rolling stock is decommissioned, sold off or otherwise disposed of pending a review by him of the future of rail freight transport; if he will allow at least a two-year period for the emergence of private operators for freight services; and his views on whether rail freight merits at least the same order of investment made in heavy goods vehicle road transport in the port tunnel. [30560/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It is my view that future investment in rail freight is a matter which should be decided on the basis of sound economic appraisal, taking all factors into account. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that the company disposes of rolling stock or handling equipment only when it has reached the end of its operating life, is surplus to requirements and uneconomic to repair. The average age of freight rolling stock that has been scrapped is close to 40 years.

While no direct Exchequer capital is being provided to Iarnród Éireann for its freight operations, the company has invested approximately €4.5 million from its own resources in container wagons and €3 million in depot cranes in the recent past. The purchase of this equipment is broadly in line with the relevant recommendations of the strategic rail review.

European Directive No. 2004/51, amending Council Directive No. 91/440/EEC, on the development of the Community's railways provides for the complete opening of the market for international rail freight services from 1 January 2006 and national freight markets from 1 January 2007. At a practical level, this will mean that, from 1 January 2006, any licensed railway undertaking established in the EU that wishes to provide international rail freight services between member states must be given access and transit rights on the rail networks of member states to allow it to provide that service. From 1 January 2007, any licensed railway undertaking established in the EU that wishes to provide any type of rail freight service, including national rail freight services, must be given access rights to the rail networks in member states to provide that service.