Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 884: To ask the Minister for Transport the situation regarding freight services in Ballina, County Mayo which were cancelled in the middle of 2005 and were supposed to re-start under new management in August 2005 and then in December 2005; his views on whether this is an essential service in view of the fact that his Department has not provided the essential roads infrastructure in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2140/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Iarnród Éireann has advised me that it is in negotiations with a shipping company about the transport of full container trains between Ballina and Waterford Port. Subject to clarification on a number of outstanding issues, this service is due to commence in mid-April this year. It is my policy that Iarnród Éireann should remain in the rail freight business. I am aware that it has made great strides in restructuring this element of its operations. To help to achieve the goal of returning the freight business to profitability, Iarnród Éireann withdrew from loss-making single container movements on common user liner trains between Dublin and provincial railheads on 29 July last year. This business continued to lose substantial moneys despite significant rationalisation of the cost base and increases in rates. Iarnród Éireann remains keen to provide economically viable container transport by rail on the basis of full trainloads, point-to-point. Iarnród Éireann continues to pursue a policy of growing its rail freight business where opportunities present.