Senators Darragh O'Brien and Ned O'Sullivan made valid points, but I am no longer amazed at Senator Marc MacSharry's performances and how he allows himself to get carried away. The Sligo school of acting has much to answer for.

That is jealousy.

Not at all.

It is.

His points were well made.

Senator Marc MacSharry was disgraceful. There are two issues involved and we would not want to get carried away. One is cost control, which Irish Rail must address. Its accounts show it has a job to do there. Equally, we cannot expect, as the Senator implied, that the taxpayer must continually be screwed for everything, regardless. We no longer live in such a State. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, is sounding a note of caution. Senator Ned O'Sullivan rightly points out that we do not have a difficulty on the southern route. We are giving it good use and we often have difficulty fighting for a seat but more power to those who are coming from Cork, Kerry and joining the trains at Charleville, Limerick Junction and even Thurles. The trains coming up in the mornings and returning in the evenings are full, as we know well. Many of the inter-city services are very well used. If what Senator Marc MacSharry said about Sligo is true, it is up to the chamber of commerce and the local communities to be more active in promoting increased rail use if that is required. We cannot expect the taxpayer to continue to fund it regardless. That is the message.

The Senator should ask the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, about his special train in County Tipperary which carries approximately five passengers per day.

There might be one train service-----

He got that in as a-----

That service cold not operate for a long time. With the floods we had during the winter it was effectively running through a portion of a flood plain.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

We understand that particular line. I am just saying-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I am sure the Leader thoroughly agrees with me. We just need to catch ourselves on, particularly Senator Marc MacSharry, with respect.