A review of security measures on public transport has been ordered by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, following the Madrid bombings that killed over 200 people earlier this month.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new €117 million redevelopment of Dublin's Heuston station today, Mr Brennan said he had asked the CIÉ chairman Dr John Lynch to check security on all trains and buses.
However, the Minister said there was no evidence of a direct threat to the State's transport network from terrorists. "I don't think anyone as anything to fear or to worry about, but this is just the prudent thing to do," he said.
Mr Brennan also announced that agreement had been reached on an investment package of over €3.5 billion for public transport between now and 2008. The Exchequer will provide over €1.7 billion of this figure and the rest will be raised through other financing mechanisms.
Some €2.3 billion will be invested in a number of rail projects, including increasing DART and suburban rail capacity by 30 per cent, extending the LUAS network, improving regional rail services and upgrading rolling stock on Intercity routes.
The remaining €1.2 billion will be used for subventing public transport companies until 2008. CIÉ is currently receiving €260 million per year.
The Heuston project was co-financed by the Government under the National Development Plan and by the European Union Cohesion Fund. It was brought in €7 million under budget.
Among the improvements are increased passenger capacity and the building of four new platforms, with the existing five platforms also being lengthened. A second concourse was also built. Heuston station is used by around 4.5 million customers each year.