Trains which can connect from a proposed new city in the west of Ireland to Dublin in just 50 minutes are among the ideas contained in a plan for the city near Knock International Airport, Co Mayo.
Mr William Thomas, managing director of Rockwell Shipping International Ltd, says he is confident that within 12 months £75 billion in financial support can be secured for his idea of a new city.
"Richard Branson has written letters of support for this proposed city. He is looking at Ireland as a potential investment location for his high-speed trains. The rugged terrain of the west of Ireland is ideal for the use of his technologically-advanced tilted trains," according to Mr Thomas.
Mr Thomas, a shipping and naval consultant, addressed a public information meeting outlining his ideas to a packed town hall in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, at the weekend.
"As yet I'm not prepared to give the exact location proposed for the new city other than to say it's in an area that is known as `The Black Triangle' - situated loosely in an underdeveloped region between the towns of Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and Charlestown in Co Mayo," he explained.
"Daewoo International have already given a commitment to the idea of a new city located in this area," Mr Thomas told the meeting. "This major company, with an annual turnover of $20 billion, is sending a development team to the west to draw up conceptual design plans for the project. Daewoo are obviously convinced that the idea has real potential and they are not the only people who are showing interest in the proposal.
"International tycoon Bill Gates has expressed interest in this new city, as has US billionaire Ross Perot," according to the Galway-based consultant.
The city is envisaged with an initial population of 100,000. The Bishop of Achonry, Dr Thomas Flynn, who chaired the meeting, said there was scepticism about the idea of a new city located in the west but recalled that doubts had been expressed when Knock airport was mooted 20 years ago. "Time has proven the critics wrong on that project."