A sister company of Connex Ireland, which won the LUAS light rail contract for Dublin, has had its franchise terminated in the south east of England.
In an unprecedented move, British rail chiefs have booted out Connex from running busy London and south-east England routes.
The contract was terminated three years early due to apparent financial incompentance. The company has previously secured a 58 million State bailout.
Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan, is not said to be concerned as Connex enjoys a great international reputation and the Government has received firm contractual assurances.
But a spokesman said that if the company failed to live up to their obligations, there was the possibility of changing the operator.
Connex UK, which is in the running for other British contracts, has said it does not accept the criticism. Connex Ireland says this has no implications for LUAS as the companies are completely independent of each other.
