Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
446 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with Irish Rail regarding the potential for the development of its rail freight business; the plans he has to provide specific rail freight grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8849/04]
View answerResponsibility for the development of rail freight rests with Irish Rail. I have consistently stated that I believe every effort should be made by the company to develop its rail freight business. Irish Rail's immediate priority is to achieve financial viability for this division of its operations.
The company's strategy is to develop the profitable traffic it already has, such as bulk freight and trainload traffic and reshape the loss making container business. I understand that the company has won new business in recent times and the fortunes of its freight operations have improved considerably.
I expect Irish Rail will continue to develop its rail freight business in line with this more concentrated approach to this division of its work.
