Irish Rail has spent €6.35m on a new train station in west Dublin which is lying unused and has no planned opening date.

Kishogue station, between Clondalkin and Adamstown, which was due to be part of the Kildare Route Project, was completed last year and is ready for passengers.

A spokesman for Irish Rail said the station was supposed to form part of an extensive new development.

"This was built as part of the Kildare Route Project, and we had intended to open it at the beginning of this year, when the project was completed. Kishogue station was included in our plans on the basis of extensive development in the area.

"As a result of the economic downturn, none of that development materialised. Therefore the station is not yet opened. However, the station infrastructure is built, and can be opened when development in the area resumes. We don't have a specific opening date, but it is connected to when the envisaged development materialises," he added.

Labour councillor for Ballyfermot Michael Conaghan said the situation was "an absolute disgrace".

"There are so many questions hanging over this development and over the fact a whole station which cost so much is lying dormant. It is an absolute disgrace. It makes you wonder who the Kildare Route Project is supposed to be serving, because it has done nothing for the west of Dublin.

"Ballyfermot is one of the biggest suburbs in Dublin and yet it has no Luas, no Metro, no Dart, nothing. The issue with Kishogue station comes as no surprise to me after years of fighting to have a station built in Ballyfermot. The real problem is that Iarnród Éireann is not answerable to anyone."