Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
211. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his views on the feasibility of using St. Stephen’s Green as the interchange station between the Luas and MetroLink in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to prioritise plans for the delivery of MetroLink, Luas and other light rail expansion projects. [63312/21]
View answer221. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the status of the MetroLink project; and his views on the feasibility of using St. Stephen’s Green as the interchange station between the Luas and MetroLink. [63513/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 221 together.
The MetroLink project is currently at Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle under the Public Spending Code.
The key document at Decision Gate 1 is the Preliminary Business Case and a Preliminary Business Case has been submitted to my Department for initial review in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Once the review process is completed, I will then be in a position to seek the relevant Government approval for the project.
Approval at Decision Gate 1 will permit MetroLink enter the statutory planning system. At a project level I understand work is ongoing to complete all the necessary planning, environmental and property referencing documentation required for a planning application, with an expectation that this work will be completed by Q2 this year.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail infrastructure.
Therefore I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the feasibility of using St. Stephen's Green as an interchange between Luas and MetroLink to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
