A new report on the rail network has recommended that train services should be at least hourly between Ireland's major cities.
The draft report of the All Island Strategic Rail Review includes 30 recommendations including high-speed trains and more electrification of the network.
It recommends hourly trains between the big cities and one at least every two hours between other urban centres.
The review suggests building the Limerick to Foynes railway and starting the south Wexford railway between Rosslare and Waterford.
The report also recommends reinstating the Claremorris to Athenry line and the Antrim to Lisburn line with a station at Belfast International Airport.
Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, says investment in Ireland's rail network is badly needed.
"Long-term it's where we want to go, to bring back rail.
"In the early part of the last century, we probably had the best rail network in the world. We've let it lapse. We've lost lines. We've given up on rail freight".
"We don't have a connection to the northwest. And what the report says is, we [need to] bring back rail as a way of getting a better balance in regional development, particularly in Donegal".
