The Minister for Transport has asked the relevant local authorities to produce detailed plans showing how the proposed Western Rail Corridor might be viable.
Mr Brennan said he would fund a study by the consultants behind the recent Strategic Rail Review, in conjunction with the four regional authorities involved, to establish the case for all or part of a Cork-Sligo rail link.
In the rail review published earlier this month, consultants Booz Allen Hamilton put the capital cost of a full 230km western corridor at €592 million.
Such a development is "not viable in the short term," a spokesman for the Minister said yesterday.
But Mr Brennan wants to hear precise proposals from the regional authorities on how their development plans would support the corridor.
The Minister discussed the proposal at a meeting in Sligo yesterday with the Council for the West.
Separately yesterday, the Connacht/Ulster MEP, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, said it was encouraging that Mr Brennan was open to a "change of attitude" on the rail link, but she urged the Government to take the initiative and prioritise funding for the development.
"A western rail link will greatly benefit tourism and business, and stimulate balanced regional development," she said.
During his visit to the north-west, Mr Brennan also performed the official opening of two local bus services as part of the €6 million Rural Transport Initiative for those living in isolated rural areas.
The Minister joined locals using the West Sligo service, which serves about 80 people throughout 10 villages, and the Leitrim/West Cavan service, which provides "virtually" door-to-door transport for about 130 users in 28 towns and villages.
