Fianna Fail has hit out at the Transport Minister over his failure to invest in rail infrastructure.

The party published its submission to the National Transport Authority (NTA) consultation on the future of rail services in 2016 and the plans contained a number of measures to help encourage people to use rail services.

However, Minister Shane Ross has been accused of ignoring the proposals.

Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Robert Troy, said: "It's beyond belief that key Intercity services face closure at a time when we should be increasing investment in public transport to help deal with our housing crisis and meet our renewal energy targets. I have long argued that proper strategic investment in the rail network has the potential to make a massive positive impact on the housing crisis.

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"Shutting down key Intercity services may help solve the funding deficit in the short-term, but in the long run it only serves to hollow out the company which will only exacerbate the funding crisis. The emphasis should be on trying to encourage more people to use Intercity services to help boost revenue at Irish Rail. This can only happen if the service is improved which will undoubtedly require long-term investment.

"Everyone understands that certain services can be better served by other forms of public transport, but this doesn't apply to key Intercity services. Minister Ross needs to fight for investment in the rail infrastructure to help secure services into the future."

(CD/LM)