Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the fact that the North Esk freight facility is no longer connected to the upgraded Cork-Cobh line, there is an issue over the reliability of the responses made by Irish Rail to the Department of Transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42616/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2006 the then Minister for Transport in reply to a PQ indicated that he had been informed by Iarnród Éireann that the work planned on the Cork-Cobh line would have no impact on the North Esk freight facility and that the freight yard would remain connected to the rail system. I now understand from Iarnród Éireann that there have been no rail freight activities at the North Esk rail freight depot since September 2006. In the meantime, Iarnród Éireann has undertaken some track renewal and realignment works in the area. It is normal practice when such work is undertaken not to renew or replace connecting turnouts to sections of line not currently in use and this was the case with regard to the North Esk connection. However, if a viable business case were to emerge the turnout could easily be reinstated and I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that no work has been undertaken, or will be undertaken, which would prevent this in the future.