Vol. 572 No. 3
78 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a report from Irish Rail on the future of rail freight business here which he said on 3 April 2003 would be available within weeks; and if he will make it available to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [23143/03]
As the Deputy is aware, I believe that every effort should be made by Irish Rail to develop its rail freight business. Since the publication of the strategic rail review earlier this year, my Department has held a number of meetings with Irish Rail at which the company has reported on its progress in improving the performance of its freight business.
Irish Rail informs me that the fortunes of its freight operations have improved considerably. It has secured two major contracts and is in the process of consolidating those markets which are financially sustainable. The company has stated that they are confident that the outlook for its freight business is good in the short to medium term.
