[packetswitch]

They are there to do both! A railway station is a major highlight (or eyesore) in cities and towns across the world, and indeed there is huge importance, in accordance with the accepted policies and laws on protected structures, in maintaining some (but obviously not all) of the existing stations, suitably updated and modernised (or indeed converted into other uses!)

Railway stations are there to serve the travelling public, of course. But Iarnród Éireann/CIÉ, as ordinary developers but also in their capacity as State enterprises, have an additional responsibility to maintain and preserve architectural heritage, and also to build in a way that is appropriate and sustainable...so I think being "nice" is an important factor, although of course it's not the only one...