Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann has examined the possibility of reopening the Limerick to Foynes port railway for the carriage of freight; their cost estimate for same; if not, if he will request Iarnród Éireann to examine the feasibility of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28287/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Irish Rail that no rail freight traffic has operated on the Foynes branch line since December 2000. In the years prior to that, I understand that Iarnród Éireann provided a service for 3 companies transporting fertiliser, animal feeds and molasses. However, the combined revenue from the 3 traffics fell far short of the operating costs involved. Despite working very hard with Foynes Port, Iarnród Éireann was unable to attract sufficient viable rail traffic to justify keeping the line open. Since that time the line has been maintained on a care and maintenance basis and substantial investment would now be required before the line could be considered for re-opening. Nevertheless, Iarnród Éireann advise that the Foynes line could be brought back into service if a sufficiently high volume of viable freight traffic were to emerge in the future.