Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
95. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of meetings that he has had with the MetroLink team; if he will report of the progress of the MetroLink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the status of the MetroLink preliminary business case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 323 together.
MetroLink is expected to be the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State and faces two important milestones in the coming months, which will determine the progress of the project in the coming years.
Firstly, there is Government’s approval of the Preliminary Business Case, which represents Decision Gate 1 under the Public Spending Code, and I hope to bring the business case to my colleagues in Cabinet by July.
The second impending milestone is the submission of a Railway Order or planning permission application for MetroLink. Work is ongoing on the extensive set of documentation which is required for a project of this scale and, subject to the Government decision mentioned above, the project will be ready to seek planning permission in the Autumn.
My officials receive frequent updates on the status of the project and meet with the National Transport Authority regularly to discuss its progress.
