Dublin-Belfast rail link
The Government supports keeping the line open and safe despite attacks, while maintenance is the responsibility of Iarnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways. De Rossa asked whether political assistance might be needed if attacks caused losses; Collins said the Government intended to ensure the line remained operative, and Barry stressed the security forces’ responsibility to protect it.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's plans for the maintenance and development of the Dublin-Belfast rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
It is a matter for Iarnrod Éireann and the Northern Ireland Railways to maintain and develop the Dublin to Belfast railway line.
The Deputy will be aware from previous statements that the Government are most concerned to ensure that the line is kept open and safe for travel and that they condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks which have occurred since last December. The Government are also concerned at the threat that these attacks constitute to the livelihoods of those who work on the line.
Comment on this
I welcome the Minister's reiteration of his support for the railway line and the Government's opposition, which I know is shared by everybody in the House, to the disruption of service and destruction of the line. Would the Minister not agree it may come to a point if the attacks on the line continue that as a matter of political decision assistance would have to be given to Iarnrod Éireann, to maintain the line because of the loss of trade on it?
Comment on this
With regard to maintaining the line as such, that is a matter for another Minister but the Deputy is correct, and would be interpreting the views of the Government, and I am sure of this House, that the line should be kept open and operative. It would be the intention of the Government to ensure that this would be so.
