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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 5

Written Answers. - Railway Ferry Links.

Peter Barry

Question:

68 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to provide a railway ferry to facilitate the transport of Irish goods to Europe and elsewhere; if funds will be available from the EC for this purpose; his views on whether Cork is the ideal port for such a venture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There are no proposals under consideration in my Department for the provision of railway ferry links to either the UK or Europe. A project of this nature would require significant public investment which would not be justified on the basis of the existing and potential volumes of traffic on the rail system. Furthermore, it would not be practical, because of rail gauge differences, to run train ferries between Ireland and the UK or Europe.

Under the Operational Programme on Peripherality rail connections and ship rail transfer facilities are being upgraded at a number of ports, including Cork, on the basis of assistance from the EC Structural Funds.

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