Amey takes eight-year Irish Rail SET framework after Luas handover

In Ireland, Amey has won the eight-year Irish Rail SET framework covering signalling, electrification and telecoms work nationwide, marking its first major contract with Iarnród Éireann.

What the Irish Rail SET framework covers

As the supplier appointed under Irish Rail’s single-party framework, Amey will provide specialist engineering staff and multidisciplinary design services across the Republic of Ireland. Work will be undertaken on a project-by-project basis. The framework covers the full project lifecycle, from early design and project management to installation, testing and commissioning.

Tony Ennis, chief engineer for signalling, electrification and telecoms at Irish Rail, said the framework would provide access to specialist expertise:

“This framework gives Irish Rail access to specialist signalling, electrification and telecoms expertise that will support the continued development of our rail network over the years ahead.”

What Amey already does in Ireland

Amey already had a broader Irish consultancy presence before this award, including a four-year place on Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Commercial, Claims Advisor and Professional Services framework announced in February 2026. On the light rail side, its 65:35 joint venture with Keolis officially began operating and maintaining Luas on 1 September 2026. The contract is valued at approximately €1.3bn and runs for seven years, with an option for a further six. The Irish Rail appointment now adds project-by-project signalling, electrification and telecoms work for the national operator.

Irish Rail and Luas agreements compared

The Luas contract is held by the KeolisAmey joint venture, split 65:35 between Keolis and Amey, while Iarnród Éireann appointed Amey directly to the SET framework. Terms as published by Amey and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Peter Anderson, managing director for transport infrastructure at Amey, called the award the start of a longer relationship:

“Being appointed as an implementation partner to Irish Rail is more than a contract win – it is the start of a long-term relationship where we can bring our full system capability to support the future of the national rail network.”

Ireland’s 2026-2030 transport spending

The award comes as Ireland begins a five-year state transport spending cycle. In November 2025, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien secured Cabinet approval for €24.3bn of Exchequer transport investment covering 2026-2030. The Sectoral Investment Plan accounts for €22.3bn, while a further €2bn from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund supports MetroLink.

Approximately €10.1bn is allocated to public transport. Priorities include protecting and renewing the heavy rail network, replacing the existing DART fleet, delivering Phase 1 and starting Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, and commencing construction on DART+ and the Western Rail Corridor.

In May 2025, Iarnród Éireann launched market engagement for two single-supplier DART+ design-and-build frameworks covering electrification and civil and structural works. At that time, the operator said a further framework process for signalling works was planned.

Where the €24.3bn transport plan puts the money

Public transport takes the largest single share of the five-year total, ahead of roads. Figures are indicative allocations published by the Department of Transport in November 2025; the €2bn for MetroLink comes from a separate fund and is counted inside the total.

The published allocations are indicative. The listed rows total approximately €24.02bn rather than exactly €24.3bn, so they should not be read as a full reconciliation of the plan.