Former minister Alan Kelly has been accused of backing “trophy projects” in his own constituency amid a row over a local railway line.

Former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry has told the Oireachtas inquiry into cost over-runs at CIE that he was long gone before a controversial deal between the company and Esat was struck.

The High Court has ordered that the Dail sub-committee investigating cost over-runs on a rail-signalling project can resume its hearings today.

The High Court will rule this morning whether the Dail Sub Committee investigating the mini CTC Rail signalling project may proceed with its hearing.