Mini-CTC investigation begins today

An Oireachtas committee will begin examining CIE’s controversial mini-CTC signalling system later today.

The committee is investigating how the project, which was originally expected to cost £14m, ended up costing the taxpayer more than £50m.

The inquiry will also examine a deal CIE signed with ESAT allowing the phone company to lay cables alongside Ireland’s rail network.

According to reports yesterday, these cables were laid before the deal received ministerial approval.

ESAT’s work on the rail network is also believed to have contributed to the overrun in costs for the mini-CTC system.