I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that the Kingscourt line is open to traffic. The only traffic up to recently was freight – gypsum – from Kingscourt to Drogheda and Limerick cement factories. This traffic was discontinued last year following a decision by the customers of Iarnród Éireann to transfer their business to road hauliers as a proposed increase in charges by Iarnród Éireann to part finance capital investment on the line was unacceptable.
Arising from the report "Iarnród Éireann: The Way Forward", I recently announced a major strategic study which will provide a strategic framework for future Government decisions on rail development over the next decades and will provide priorities for investment. The study will include a particular examination of the future potential of rail freight in contributing to economic development and environmental considerations and the funding issues arising, including those raised by the Deputy.
I thank the Deputy for the information he sent me recently on European ideas on corralling funding for rail subventions.
The study will also take account of the recent EU Commission White Paper on European transport policy towards 2010 which aims to promote the revival of the rail network in the EU and particularly the rail freight network.