Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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760. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the general approach on rail interoperability and the plan to harmonise infrastructures on platform heights, tracks and widths and signalling systems during the Irish EU Presidency; if he will detail Ireland's engagement on this fourth railway package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36182/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting held on the 10th of June 2013 a common approach was reached on the proposal for a Directive on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union. The main element of the proposed Directive, as agreed, is a revised process for the placing on the market and the placing in service of rolling stock and other subsystems. Under the Directive the European Railway Agency (ERA) will have a more central role in this process where rolling stock is to be used in more than one Member State. The Directive does not provide for the harmonisation of platform heights, track gauge or signalling systems.

My Department has initiated a consultation process on the six proposals contained in the 4th Railway Package. Details of the consultation can be accessed on my Department's website  .