Cork could benefit from Irish Rail's electric carriages deal

Iarnród Éireann chief executive Jim Meade, chairman of Alstom Henri Poupart-Lafarge and chief executive of the National Transport Authority Anne Graham at Iarnród Éireann’s Inchicore Works to formally sign the contract. Picture: Jason Clarke

A landmark deal that will see 750 new rail carriages for Dublin's Dart system, including 95 electric-powered in the next three years, could be extended to  Cork in the future.

Iarnród Éireann's deal with French train manufacturing specialist Alstom is the "largest and most sustainable ever order of fleet for Ireland’s public transport network", the national rail firm said.