‘Visionary’ plan unveiled 18 months ago

THE Government’s commuter rail plans for Cork, hailed yesterday as “visionary”, were originally announced a year-and-a-half ago by then Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.

Furthermore, the plans push the completion date for new services between Cork city and Midleton, and Cork city and Blarney, back by a year to 2008.

In May last year Mr Brennan said design work by Iarnród Éireann was already underway on sections of the line and it was expected passenger services would begin in 2007.