Today’s revelation that Irish Rail has written down the value of a new IT system by €50 million is further proof that the State is unable to effectively manage projects of this nature, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said:
“The Irish Times reported today that Irish Rail does not have confidence in a new traffic management system (TMS) which, at the current rate of progress, cannot be rolled out across Ireland’s railway network as planned.
“This has resulted in a write-down of €50 million in Irish Rail’s 2025 accounts, which have now been sent to the Minister for Transport.
“There is a growing sense of Groundhog Day as, yet again, we see taxpayers’ money wasted on a problematic IT project. And while more information has yet to emerge about this specific case, it’s fair to conclude that, when it comes to IT projects, the State simply can’t manage them.
“The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has some oversight at the initial stage of such projects. However, ultimate responsibility is being outsourced to the accounting officer of whichever body is tasked with delivering them.
“Following this latest debacle, I believe the OGCIO must have a more hands-on role when it comes to managing public IT projects. That is why, at a meeting of PAC today, I called on the office – a division of the Department of Public Expenditure – to appear before committee alongside Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA).”
May 21, 2026