Brennan orders major review of security on public transport

A major review of security on State-owned public transport services has been ordered by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.

The review, which is being taken in response to the recent train bombings in Madrid, is to be carried out by the chairman of CIÉ, Dr John Lynch.

Mr Brennan also announced a "multi-annual funding envelope" of more than €3.5 billion for public transport between now and 2008.

Speaking as he opened a second station concourse and new platforms at Heuston Station in Dublin, Mr Brennan said: "It is important that the chairman of the board review security arrangements on all of our public transport systems, on our trains in particular."

Asked if he was aware of any particular threat, the Minister said he wanted to stress that he had "no reason whatsoever to believe and I don't believe that we have anything to worry about and that we are a target".

Mr Brennan added that the review would "be prudent" given that "public transport throughout Europe obviously has been a target" but he repeated that there was no indication of a threat.

Dr Lynch said the security review had already got under way but added that the report would be confidential and would not be made public.

The Minister said the new facilities at Heuston Station together with the refurbishment of the existing concourse, customer services and new signalling would "help stop inter-city and commuter trains getting in each other's way". He noted the €117 million project was brought in on time and €7 million under budget.

Commenting on the upgrading of facilities by Iarnród Éireann, Mr Brennan said "by the end of next year the entire track in the country will be brand new and by the end of 2006 all the rolling stock will be modern". Iarnród Éireann also ordered another 67 new inter-city and 37 new commuter railcars and plans to raise to four the number of tracks between Heuston and Kildare. By 2006 the company is hoping to see an hourly service between Heuston and Cork.

Mr Brennan also revealed that he had secured Government approval for a multi-annual investment in public transport of more than €3.5 billion between now and 2008.

Mr Brennan said €2.3 billion of this would be directed towards capital projects - of which €1.7 billion will be provided directly by the Exchequer with the remainder coming from the private sector.

In addition to capital projects, the subvention to CIÉ companies is €260 million this year and is expected to be at least a similar amount over the coming years. A further €1.3 billion will be made available for subventing public transport services during the period.