A spending programme of more than £200 million to improve rail safety over the next five years is to be announced today in Dublin.
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, will publish details of the spending, having won Cabinet approval on Monday for the investment.
She will also announce new proposals, to be implemented by 2001, on expanding DART services and developing rail routes to accommodate commuters from suburban areas in greater Dublin.
A special task force to investigate priority investment in rail safety has identified the high-risk rail sections that should be the focus of initial spending.
It is expected sections of line identified as being most at risk in last year's highly critical IRMS Review of Rail Safety in Ireland will receive priority treatment.
According to the consultants' findings, inadequate signalling systems contributed to the highest risk on lines between Ballybrophy and Limerick Junction; Heuston to Charleville Junction; Portarlington to Ballybrophy; and Limerick Junction to Mallow.
The IRMS report recommended £590 million be spent over 15 years, and the Government has decided to "front-load" the bulk of the necessary investment into the first five years. According to Government sources last night, the Minister will today announce precise details of where the money will go in the first year.
Over £230 million is required to bring Iarnrod Eireann's network into a safe condition, without having to impose speed restrictions or other measures that could be employed to ensure adequate safety. This figure does not include any provisions for developing infrastructures to meet higher train speeds or heavier rolling stock.
Millions of pounds must also be earmarked to meet deficiencies in safety training, improvements in weak management systems in Iarnrod Eireann as identified in the IRMS report and to reduce shortcomings in identifying hazards as they arise.
In addition to the £590 million necessary for the rail system, a further £600 million is required for the establishment of the Luas light rail system and another £200 million for buses.