EU ministers on Transport held a debate on the fourth railway package which mainly focused on the proposal for a recast of the 2008 directive on the interoperability of the EU rail system. According to the Council, ministers broadly acknowledged the need to increase the efficiency of the authorisation process. However, misgivings were expressed about the transfer of competences from national authorities to the European Rail Agency as proposed by the Commission.

The Council held a debate on 11 March on a proposal for a recast of the 2008 directive on the interoperability of the EU rail system, thereby starting its work on the "fourth railway package" recently published by the Commission. The proposal is part of the technical pillar of the package, together with proposed amendments to the 2004 directive on railway safety and the 2004 regulation establishing a European Railway Agency (ERA).

During the debate, misgivings were expressed about the transfer of competences from national authorities to the European Rail Agency as proposed by the Commission. More specifically, several member states pointed out that responsibility for the authorisation of vehicles used only on the national territory or on local or regional networks should remain with national authorities, so that the specific situations in the different countries can be properly taken into account.

Some delegations also argued that the harmonisation of railway infrastructure was not yet advanced enough to justify a centralised authorisation procedure and suggested that the role of the ERA should be enhanced gradually. Several delegations were of the opinion that the ERA should be given a stronger supervisory role, but not responsibility for authorisations. The issue of liability in the event of accidents was also raised.