Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
232. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if his Department intends to commission a feasibility study regarding a Metro South West line via Rathfarnham to Tallaght following the Metro to Knocklyon feasibility study of 2021. [42986/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no current plans to commission a feasibility study for a metro from Dublin city to/from Tallaght. However, a portion of the proposed route examined in the NTA's Metro-to-Knocklyon feasibility study is along the Rathfarnham to Tallaght corridor. The NTA's draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 concludes that this corridor is best served by 'bus rapid transport' such as BusConnects. This conclusion is reinforced in the NTA's Dublin South West Transport Study. The NTA's draft GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042 does put forth a proposal for a City Centre to Knocklyon Luas with a further spur to Tallaght, but notes that this would not be expected to be delivered until after 2042. While a metro to the South West of Dublin is not proposed in the current GDA Transport Strategy, the NTA reviews these plans on a rolling basis every 6 years and a proposal could be reconsidered in the future.
As 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, light rail. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed direct reply to the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
