Government blunder: Northern Irish train appears on cover of National Development Plan

Critics question symbolism and lack of detail after UK-owned train features on major Irish infrastructure documen

Featured on the cover of the updated plan is a Northern Ireland Railways Class 4000, typically used on services around Derry.

The cover of the Government’s new National Development Plan includes a picture of a Northern Ireland Railways train, rather than an Iarnród Éireann model.

Featured on the cover of the updated plan is a Northern Ireland Railways Class 4000. It is an upgrade on the Class 3000, which is occasionally used on cross-border services between Belfast and Dublin. However, the Class 4000 is not used in the Republic. They are owned by Northern Ireland Railways, not Irish Rail.

Featured on the cover of the updated plan is a Northern Ireland Railways Class 4000

Green Party transport spokesperson Feljin Jose questioned whether the image signalled a possible government plan to take over Northern Ireland Railways.

“The picture at the front is a Northern Irish train. I wouldn't mind if they had committed to any improvements for the cross-border Enterprise service but there's nothing,” Mr Jose said.

“Is the government buying Northern Ireland Railways? It's the only train reference in this document aside from repeated references to MetroLink designed to distract from the lack of detail.”

The Government is expected to outline which projects will be prioritised under the NDP funding closer to the budget.