Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2018
187. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if studies and appraisals conducted by his Department in designing the MetroLink project will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39207/18]
View answer190. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has commissioned a business case appraisal of the MetroLink project. [39210/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 190 together.
As the Deputy is aware the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
The development of the proposed MetroLink has been subject to a number of studies and appraisals, the most current of which are available to view on the project's dedicated website www.metrolink.ie
All Exchequer-supported capital projects are subject to applicable guidelines and procedures including the Public Spending Code and projects within the transport sector are also subject to the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes.
In line with the requirements of both the Public Spending Code and the Common Appraisal Framework, a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of the MetroLink project was commissioned by the NTA, and it was published earlier this year. That analysis indicated that "investment in MetroLink is worthwhile, based on economic benefits alone and the scheme will provide a high level of value for money ." This CBA report is available to view on the project's dedicated website www.metrolink.ie and I would encourage all interested parties to read it and the various other studies and reports relating to the project which are available to view on that website.
The Deputy may be aware that a public consultation on the "Emerging Preferred Route" for the Metrolink was conducted earlier this year and the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are now carefully considering the views elicited and matters raised during the consultation, as these will inform the development of the actual route for the project. It is expected that a report of that public consultation process will be published later in the year.
