The construction of an oil pipeline between Dublin Port and the airport, and the development of a freight depot on the outskirts of the city, are to be considered by a new Government task force.
Launched by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, the group will also examine ways of diverting freight traffic from Dublin to regional ports in an effort to reduce congestion.
The Minister expressed concern at the "abysmally" low level of freight transported by rail - currently estimated at 3.9 per cent of the total volume - and said it was vital that a "seamless transport chain" involving roads, rail and ports be developed.
He said this should be done in a way "that avoids delays, congestion and environmental damage, and adds to Irish competitiveness".
The task force, chaired by Dr John Mangan of the Irish Management Institute, is to report back to the Minister within six months.
One measure under consideration is the pipeline between the port and the airport, which could be built in tandem with the Dublin Port Tunnel. Such a pipeline would enable up to 500 oil trucks which drive through the city to the port each day to be diverted to a refuelling hub close to the M50.
The other initiative is the freight depot, serviced by a rail link to Dublin Port, on a greenfield site on the outskirts of the city.
The possibility of switching freight collections and deliveries to night-time will also be examined, although this could create industrial relations difficulties for Iarnrod Eireann.
The task force will also look at opportunities for diverting traffic from Dublin to ports such as Drogheda, Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare, Waterford, New Ross, Cork, Shannon Foynes and Galway.
The State's seaports handle 99 per cent of all imports and exports. Of 43 million tonnes of port freight last year, 21 million tonnes came through Dublin Port.
Mr Fahey said the Government was concerned about the capacity of Dublin Port to handle increasing volumes of trade. He said it also shared local concerns about traffic congestion near ports located "within, or in proximity to, busy town centres".
The task force, the first to examine the integration of ports in a national transport network, is inviting submissions from interested parties.
