Taoiseach: CIE decision depends on rail strategy review

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said any CIE decision to axe certain rail services will not be enacted until the completion of a rail strategy review.

The board of CIE is meeting in Dublin today when it is expected two passenger routes and half the company's freight division will be scrapped.

The Opposition says the move will only increase the number of trucks on our already congested roads, but Mr Ahern insisted that today's decision would only be enacted in consultation with the minister.

"Whatever the decision, if they make a decision, I am not going to interfere with a State board's right to make a decision, particularly a board where there is worker's director on it.

"But whatever the decision it will not be enacted in any form until the rail freight and review and the whole strategic review is completed. So it holds until that is examined by the minister."