Vol. 402 No. 3
148 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to proposals of the EC Commission to change the basis of the EC Regulations to establish a contractual framework between the state and public transport undertakings for the provision of public services; and the progress which has been made in the implementation of these proposals here.
I am aware of the proposals relating to future policy development for the railways which were tabled by the EC Commission at the December 1989 Council meeting of the Ministers of Transport. These proposals, which cover a range of railway activities, including the development of a European high speed rail network and the greater use of combined transport facilities, envisage the separation of responsibility for providing rail infrastructure, including the permanent way, from other rail activities. A more enhanced role is envisaged in these proposals for member state governments in relation to responsibility for provision of the appropriate infrastructure. These proposals would have important budgetary implications for the Exchequer and are being studied carefully by my Department.
It has also been agreed by the Council of Ministers that the development of a high speed network and the greater use of combined transport facilities should be treated as priority issues by member states. The Commission's proposals in these areas have been the subject of detailed discussions by member states over the past ten months.
