Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
228. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the deadline for submissions for Metrolink beyond the deadline of 25 November 2022, in order to allow residents time to assess the lengthy application. [51342/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), MetroLink.
The current arrangements for the MetroLink statutory consultation process are aligned with legislative requirements, with submissions to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála. TII and the NTA recognise that some aspects of the Railway Order process are quite technical and have set up a process to assist residents’ groups in interpreting technical designs, drawings, etc. and formulating their responses. Independent experts, RINA, have been appointed to review the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) on behalf of the residents’ groups and assist the residents in preparing their Railway Order submissions. Written submissions on the plans can be made to An Bord Pleanála until 25 November.
Given the statutory nature of this process, and the need to expeditiously advance the MetroLink planning stage, it is not my intention to seek an extension of the public consultation period from An Bord Pleanála.
