Finance Dept questions transport plan costing

The Government's 10-year transport package has been delayed because the Department of Finance does not believe it can be achieved within its proposed budget of €20bn, reports claimed today.

The ambitious plan was drawn up by Transport Minister Martin Cullen ahead of last December's budget.

Reports this morning said economists at the Department of Finance were taken back by the scale of the proposals and were sceptical that they could be achieved for €20bn.

The costs of the scheme are reportedly being "tested" by the Department before the measures are put to the cabinet for final approval.