asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any efforts have been made in consultation with his opposite number in Stormont to divert heavy freight to the rail link between Dublin and Belfast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin-Belfast Heavy Freight Transport
9.
Up to 1964 it was the policy in Northern Ireland as well as in the State to maximise the use of the railways. Since then the Northern authorities have reduced their railway system, discontinued railway freight service and fully liberalised road freight services for reward.
In view of the situation brought about by the change in policy in the North and in the interests of expanding trade between the two areas, the Government decided in 1966 on a substantial measure of liberalisation for road haulage of goods for reward cross-Border. Despite these measures, the railway freight service between Dublin and the North, now solely operated by CIE, has retained its volume of heavy freight traffic.
In view of current policy in the North and particularly the discontinuance of rail freight services there, I am satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by such consultations as are mentioned in the question.