Problem is Irish Rail decide currently, Dublin Cork isn't hourly really, The best comparision is the PSO air routes, a company is required to operate a certain number of flights per week, provide a certain number of seats and provide at least x seats at or below a defined price.
The UK model is based on input from passenger groups, the overall strategic goals and consultants and the rail regulator which sets a set of franchise requirements in terms of what must be provided
Failure to meet those standard results in serious trouble and potential loss of franchise, i.e Connex and most recently GNER who couldn't meet the financial premium (GNER was a profitable franchise and paid a fixed sum per annum to the UK exchequer). Despite these restrictions, any company which can exceed the baseline is free to do so, e.g Chiltern
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