Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand access to the rail network across the State; and his views on recent EU statements which indicate a move towards increased privatisation of rail networks which would only make the State's limited service worse. [22905/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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European legislation that is already in place provides for access to the rail network for the provision of certain services.   Specifically there is access to the network for the provision of rail freight services since 2007 while access for the provision of international rail passenger services is possible since 2010.      

The European Commission announced a package of proposals last January aimed at delivering a better quality and more choice in railway services across Europe. Among the proposals announced is the opening of domestic rail passenger markets from 2019 onwards. The package also contains a proposal that would lead to all public service obligation contracts being awarded by means of a competitive tender process from December 2019. 

The discussions on these latest proposals have not commenced. I have therefore not yet taken a position. The proposals are being scrutinised by my Department and the approach to be taken will have regard to the views of interested parties.