The Irish government today signed off on a €700m contract for a new fleet of trains for cross border rail service between Dublin and Belfast.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris took part in a contract signing event at Belfast's Grand Central Station.
The new Belfast to Dublin Enterprise fleet is being built by Swiss company Stadler for Translink and Iarnród Éireann is due for delivery from late 2028.
With around 400 seats, the trains' features include step-free interiors and unaided boarding on exterior doors, enhanced customer facilities like USB charging points and power sockets, and a spacious dining and bar area.
The tri-mode capability of the trains – capable of operating on electric, diesel and battery power – will reduce emissions, enable quieter journeys and ensure "seamless operation" as the Belfast–Dublin line transitions towards "full electrification".
The Irish Government and Stormont Executive are each contributing around €250m, with the rest provided through a peace fund supported by the European Union.
The number of passengers using the service between Belfast and Dublin has soared since the introduction of 15 departures per day each way in October 2024.
There have been more than 2 million passenger journeys since then.
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste were joined for the signing ceremony by Stormont's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, with other ministers also attending.
Micheál Martin welcomed the signing of the contract, saying the new fleet will mean more trains on the route and shorter journey times between the two biggest cities on the island.
Around 2 million people live along the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor.
The Tánaiste said the upgrade of the fleet was visible and tangible evidence of what the Good Friday Agreement is about.
"We don't just create better transport links, we create better links between each other," Mr Harris added.
"And we realise the full potential of the Agreement to create prosperity for all of our people."
Earlier, the Taoiseach took part in a series of meetings with Northern Ireland's political parties at Stormont.
He also met with business leaders and engaged with the domestic abuse charity Women's Aid.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said he will continue to work towards reconciliation and mutual trust.
This evening he will deliver the Lord David Trimble Lecture 2026 at Queen's University in Belfast, when he will pay tribute to the former Ulster Unionist leader's critical role in the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste will both be back in Northern Ireland again tomorrow when they attend the latest meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh.
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Opportunity to hear directly from political, business and civic leaders
Earlier the Taoiseach said he would continue to work towards reconciliation and mutual trust.
He met with political leaders at Stormont, where he was greeted by Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots, as well as with business leaders, and engage with domestic abuse charity Women's Aid.
Later, Mr Martin is to deliver the Lord David Trimble Lecture 2026 at Queen's University Belfast.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said he is "committed to continuing to work toward reconciliation and mutual trust, as we collectively set out to do in 1998, including through the Shared Island Initiative".
"My visit includes multiple opportunities to hear directly from political, business and civic leaders and to discuss ongoing and evolving all-island priorities which benefit us all," he said.
"I am also pleased to be delivering the Lord David Trimble Lecture in Queen's University. David played a critical role in the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement."
The Taoiseach said the "principles and purpose of the agreement remain central to what my Government does and how we foster relationships across these islands".
