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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Apr 1989

Vol. 389 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Freight Infrastructure.

30.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the proposals for improvement in the rail freight infrastructure to ensure that it can compete on favourable terms with road freight over the next five years.

The formulation of proposals for the development of rail freight infrastructure is a matter for CIE and the operating subsidiary, Iarnród Éireann. I am informed by CIE that the infrastructure has been modernised in recent years and has resulted in rail freight services becoming more efficient and more competitive. The board considers that overall these developments have resulted in rail freight traffic being well capable of competing with road freight services.

The board has identified a number of developments necessary for improving freight handling arrangements in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness in transporting international rail freight traffic. These include a direct rail link to ship-side facilities in Dublin port and the upgrading of signalling and renovations to the rail infrastructure to facilitate the handling of bigger containers. Proposals for such developments are being considered for aid from EC Structural Funds in the context of the National Development Plan 1989-1993.

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