Barry Ward
Question:281. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on an underground metro for Dublin. [1826/25]
View answerWednesday, 22 January 2025
Questions (281)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority's Transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 is the statutory transport for the region and sets out a range of transport proposals for delivery over the period to 2042. In relation to metro, and as outlined in the Strategy, the analysis conducted concluded that a metro line from Swords to Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport would be the key area of focus for metro delivery.
MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, Dublin Airport, major employment zones, education, transport, and other facilities. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. MetroLink will be able to carry a peak capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction in the future.
When operations commence, there will be trains every three minutes during peak periods. This can rise to a service every 90 seconds by 2060 with the system capable of carryover up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction. MetroLink will improve the quality of the urban environment and people’s lives, as well as enable the development of more well-connected homes in our capital city. It will contribute to a shift from the private car to more sustainable travel, helping to decarbonise the transport sector in line with government policy.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when Cabinet approved the project under Approval Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This approval enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and in September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála held an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink in February/March 2024. This process allowed planning authorities, prescribed bodies, elected representatives and observers to share their views on the project. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála held an additional round of public consultation from 19th August to 8th October 2024. A planning decision on the project from An Bord Pleanála is awaited.
Subject to securing planning approval, and no successful legal challenges, TII will finalise a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy for consideration at Approval Gate 2, in line with the infrastructure Guidelines.
Dependent on the outcome of the planning process, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence in the coming years with a view to operation by the mid-2030s.