Rail Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Ceisteanna (1073)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

1073. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of requests made by the European Commission in relation to privatisation of Irish Rail under the EU’s fourth railway package; the response provided to such requests; his plans to transpose EU Directive 2016/2370 into national law and open up the market for Irish domestic rail passenger services and the governance of rail infrastructure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Shane Ross)

The focus of the EU 4th Railway Package is on the completion of the EU single market for rail services. The package contains no measures relating to the privatisation of State-owned railway undertakings and, as such, no requests from the European Commission have been received in this regard.

The Department continues to engage with the Commission regarding the transposition of Directive (EU) 2016/2370 into Irish law and every effort is being made to provide for this as soon as possible.