A Consortium, led by Ernst & Young, has been appointed to advise the Department of Public Enterprise on the development of a framework within which rail projects can be advanced as public private partnerships.

The consortium will carry out preparatory work at a strategic level to ensure that projects are brought forward to the market within acceptable timeframes. As well as Ernst & Young, the team includes Arthur Cox; Simmons & Simmons, solicitors; WS Atkins, engineers, planners and management consultants; and Fitzpatrick Associates, public policy and economic advisers.