<p>Strong pressure is being exerted on the Irish government to prevent the state rail company from shutting off its freight services to ports in Waterford and the Shannon estuary.</p> <p>At Foynes on the Shannon – the biggest bulk handling port in the country – a freight train has stood on the tracks without moving for three years. </p> <p>The chief executive of the Shannon Foynes Port Company, Brian Byrne, says that this is testimony to the way in which Irish Rail has failed to meet its obligations to the ports. </p> <p>He has been to the fore in lobbying the minister for transport to ensure the continuation of freight services to the ports.</p> <p>"In any other country these would be regarded as vital," he says.</p> <p>"Yet here in Ireland, with the rail tracks within yards of the ports, we are denied such a service.</p> <p>"Irish Rail has failed in its obligations to the ports and is preventing development."</p> <p>Mr Byrne said there are businesses which would be prepared to use the port for development if the rail line was used.</p> <p>Transport minister Seamus Brennan is to decide the future of the rail lines at the end of this month and has indicated that he may break up the state transport company, end its monopoly and look favourably on private operation of the rail lines.</p> <br />
