Iarnród Éireann may close freight lines in effort to cut costs

IRISH RAIL will decide on a range of cost-cutting plans within the next fortnight, including proposals to close or temporarily shut unprofitable freight lines.

Union officials and farm groups are furious and fear for the future of 400 jobs. An internal Iarnród Éireann memo proposes suspending uneconomic freight lines, including Limerick Junction to Rosslare Harbour and Limerick to Ballybrophy.

Iarnród Éireann has denied further speculation that the cuts won't end there and that it is to sell off one of the country's most successful car and passenger ports, Rosslare Europort. Such a move would require complex legal hurdles to be cleared, particularly at government level, an Irish Rail spokesman said.