The Government has announced a £430 million investment programme to improve rail safety. The five year programme includes provisions for track replacement, signalling and level crossings. It will be funded partly by the sale of surplus CIE property and partly by increased borrowings authorised by the government.
The Cabinet has also approved a feasability study to cost a new rail suburban development plan for the Greater Dublin area linked to housing and industrial devleopment. Mrs O'Rourke also indicated that she is considering a fare increase for CIE but would not divulge details of the scale or timing of any proposed increase.
SIPTU has welcomed the announcement of the investment programme, but said it had serious reservations about the manner in which the money is to be raised.
