Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study has been implemented in accordance to the capital plan to examine options for expanding freight on the railways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17364/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Capital Plan 2016-21 includes a commitment that the Government will, in advance of the Mid-Term Review, commission a feasibility study to examine options for expanding freight transport on the railways. Iarnród Éireann is currently the only rail freight service provider in the Irish market, and provides this service on a commercial basis. Iarnród Éireann is itself seeking to grow its rail freight market, and I support them in this endeavour.  In addition to  Iarnród Éireann's freight services, other operators may provide rail freight services, as the rail freight sector was opened to competition in 2007.  My officials will be happy to discuss market access with any interested parties. With regard to the feasibility study referred in the Capital Plan, the National Transport Authority has recently concluded a public consultation on the 2016 Rail Review.  The public consultation includes consideration of rail freight, and the results of this consultation will inform my Department's development of a rail freight feasibility study.