SIPTU has warned Irish Rail against implementing rumoured plans to cut back rail services.
The warning comes following the circulation of rumours that railway lines between Arklow and Rosslare Harbour; Limerick Junction and Waterford; and between Waterford and Rosslare Harbour were to close.
Condemning any such move, Mr Tony Tobin, secretary of SIPTU's rail services division said while Irish Rail's financial situation was a matter of concern, it would be the "height of folly" to start cutting back on rail services in the wake of a major investment programme in the rail network. He said such proposals would "vehemently opposed by SIPTU".
SIPTU warned against what it called "simplistic solutions" to Irish Rail's financial difficulties following a meeting between senior management and trade unions in which the company forecast a €25 million budget deficit for this year. It also predicted further annual short-falls ranging from €36.2 million to € 50.6 million for the years up to 2006.
The union is calling for fare increases to be index-linked in order to avoid large increases which "understandably arouse opposition" from the travelling public. It also called on the Government to increase its subvention if it was reluctant to grant fare increases.