Up to 600 jobs to go at Irish Rail

Up to 600 jobs could be lost in Irish Rail's freight division in the coming months as the company
begins a rationalisation programme.

The company's freight division took a hammering in 2000 during the 10-week ILDA train drivers
strike. The recent closure of Irish Fertiliser Industries (IFI), the company's third biggest customer has
also added to the company's woes.

Barry Kenny of Irish Rail confirmed yesterday 29th October that the company "would not withdraw from freight
services that remained profitable" and added that the situation was being "closely monitored".
The company has confirmed that it will announce a range of cost cutting measures on November 6.