I have been informed by the Chairman of CIE that Iarnród Éireann are in the process of reorganising their Transtrack groupage business, but that following this reorganisation a comparable freight service will continue to be provided using a combination of rail-road operations on a more efficient and costeffective basis. Freight services will be terminated at some smaller depots where freight volumes are particularly low at present.
The question of reducing staff numbers associated with this reorganisation is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and is part of the company's ongoing attempts to achieve improved competitiveness and financial performance of the rail freight business. I understand that discussions with the relevant trade unions concerning the new arrangements are under way at present.