A review of the national rail network, billed as the most comprehensive ever undertaken, has recommended that nearly €8.5 billion be spent by the State over the next 20 years.
The 267-page consultants' report, which was published in Dublin this morning, has advised that the development take place in three phases, with priority being given to maximising the capacity of current routes.
The bulk of money to be spent between 2003 and 2008 would go on upgrading lines linking Dublin to Galway, Waterford, Rosslare, Westport and Ballina, Sligo and Cork.
It is also recommended that there should be enhancements and expansions of the DART, Dublin and Cork suburban services - as well as a new tunnel connecting Dublin's Heuston and Connolly stations and a new stop at Spencer Dock.
Rail campaigners in the west will be angered that the proposed Western Rail Corridor linking Sligo to Cork has not met with approval, nor has a proposed rail connection between Letterkenny and Derry.
Other plans not given priority include Limerick Junction to Rosslare and Connolly Station to Navan, but the report does give some comfort by saying such schemes would require further detailed evaluation before they could be adopted.
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said the Government had endorsed 'the broad thrust' of the report's main findings. He said he would be setting up an implementation group to monitor the progress of the rail investment programme, but he warned that the funding implications and the timing of teh delivery of projects would require 'careful consideration' because of Exchequer demands. The Minister reiterated that no lines would be closed.
