IRELAND: Transport Minister Noel Dempsey officially launched works to reinstate the disued Glounthaune - Midleton line on February 14. A DMU service to Cork will be introduced in early 2009, running half-hourly in the peaks and hourly off-peak as part of a €130m investment in the city's commuter services under the Transport 21 plan.

The first 6 km of the line to Youghal is to be rebuilt. The level crossings will be eliminated, and stations with extensive car parking constructed at Carrig-twohill and Midleton.

'This project is a particularly good example of integrated land-use and transport planning and it is also a critical element of the Cork area strategic plan', said Dempsey.