The committee investigating Iarnrod Eireann's signalling project has sought information from all relevant parties by Thursday.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport wants to find out why the project valued at £14 million (€17.77 million) has cost up to £40 million - and remains incomplete.

It has the power to compel witnesses to attend hearings in an inquiry which will be similar to the Committee of Public Accounts DIRT investigation.

In addition to Iarnrod Eireann, the committee will call Esat, which owns a telecoms network fitted near the unfinished signalling system on the rail line. The installation of the Esat system led to delays in the signalling network.

The other principals in the case are MNL (Modern Networks Ltd) and Sasib, which carried out construction work on the project.

It is thought information has also been sought from individual directors of certain private sector companies in the case.