Plans were unveiled today for a €34 billion overhaul of the State's transport network that would include seven new Luas projects and two metro lines for Dublin - one of which will service the airport.
The 10-year plan represents the single biggest investment in infrastructure in the history of the State and includes new commuter rail services for Cork city and Galway city, Dart extensions in Dublin, and a new road route connecting Donegal, to Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford - known as the "Atlantic Corridor".
Central to the plan is an integrated transport system for Dublin, including a 17-minute metro connection from the city centre to the airport.
The seven Luas projects to be implemented include a new line from Lucan to the city centre, the linking of the existing two lines, an extension of the Tallaght line to Docklands with a spur to Citywest, and an extension of the Sandyford line to Cherrywood and Bray.
There will be two metro lines - Metro North and Metro West. Metro North will run from St Stephen's Green to Swords taking in DCU, Ballymun and the airport along the way. Metro West will link the Tallaght Luas line with Metro North and its stops will include Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown.
An underground station at St Stephen's Green integrating Luas, Metro and suburban rail services is also to be built.
The plan to be known as "Transport 21" also provides for a new western rail corridor.
Around €26 billion will be funded directly from the Exchequer, with some €8 billion provided via Public Private Partnerships. This represents a spend of €9.4 million per day for transport over the duration of the project.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen described the plan as "visionary, detailed, integrated and deliverable".
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
At the publication of the document today, he said: "Transport 21 will deliver a 21st century infrastructure for a 21st century Ireland."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hailed the developments as signalling a new era for transport in Ireland.
"We need and deserve a first-class transport system," he said. "We have to move from far behind into the lead."
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen claimed that top class infrastructure was vital to Ireland's future competitiveness.
"Unless we make further improvements our competitiveness will be eroded," he said.
The government has already committed to spend just under five per cent of gross national product (GNP) on capital projects - equivalent to around €6 billion a year.
Mr Cowen said there would be flexibility to hike investment above this level in particular years to accommodate the transport plan but that "this would be manageable".