Rail Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2009

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Ceisteanna (66)

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

83 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the proposed forum on rail freight that was mandated to be set up in the policy framework, Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future 2009 — 2020; the persons who will be members of the forum; the remit of the forum; when a policy document will issue on rail freight; when a target for the development of rail freight here will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45889/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to establish a forum on the movement of goods, as set out in the SMARTER TRAVEL policy paper, in 2010. My Department is currently undertaking preparatory work on the membership, tasks and timescales for the forum, which will include a North-South dimension. In that regard, discussions are taking place with the relevant Northern Ireland authorities. The forum will address both economic competitiveness and environmental matters within the context of a sustainable freight industry in relation to the movement of goods by air, sea, rail and road.

The potential for rail freight and its role within an integrated freight transport strategy will be among the matters explored by the forum.