The department is responsible for policy and legislation for the economic regulation of railways. The Commission for Railway Regulation as the designated Rail Regulatory ensures that the railway market in Ireland complies with EU requirements.
In order to ensure a robust regulatory regime for the railway market in Ireland, the EU requires compliance with rules concerning the establishment of a single railway area, and market access.
In particular, rules have been developed to open the markets for domestic and international rail freight and international rail passenger services. The The Fourth Railway Package which is currently under negotiation, contains further proposals for the opening of domestic markets.