I understand that there will not be any delay in the electrification of Howth-Bray line. Would the Minister comment on Deputy Deasy's assertion that it is half the cost? I do not believe that. Could the Minister be more specific on that and also ensure that there will be no delay?

The marginal cost referred to is less than £1 million. In my view that far outweighs the benefits that would accrue from it. As we know, electric traction has considerable advantages in the movement of urban passengers and demands high acceleration and deceleration with light, fast trains. These trains are more acceptable from an environmental point of view. In an electrified system there will be a certain security of supply because the electricity will be coming from a national grid. There is over-dependence on diesel oil in the present situation. The electrification of the Howth-Bray line means that it could be directly linked in to other parts of the city.

How will it fare in a blackout to which several of the districts through which this railway will now pass are periodically subject?

It is far more acceptable from an environmental point of view.

I do not dispute that at all. I am just asking whether the Minister is telling the House, as I hope he is, that the supplies to this railway, when it is finally implemented, will be independent of the kind of cuts of which the districts through which the line passes are now periodically subject. Perhaps the Minister does not know that Dublin districts are periodically blacked out?

The Deputy should bring that up with the Minister involved in the relevant Department.

The Ministers are all great on the hot potato game.