The Government has approved a move which could lead to competition on Ireland's railways.
Today's Cabinet meeting agreed not to seek a further derogation from EU rules on rail market access, at the suggestion of Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.
Minister Varadkar is now to begin a consultation process on how to restructure Irish Rail as a result.
This is likely to lead ultimatly to the separation of the company into an operator - running the trains - and an infrastructure company, which would own and maintain the tracks.
Such a move would allow for possible competition, particularly in the area of freight.
A spokesman for the Minister said this would represent a "fairly significant" change in the rail industry, but said any privatisation of rail services was unlikely.
