Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the issues that annoyed me and, I assume, many residents and groups was that reference was made to the emerging preferred site before the consultation had even begun. That was hard to swallow.

I made suggestions with regard to options. The location of the boring machine, whether it is double or single bore, can make a big difference. I am curious as to whether the NTA and TII considered the idea of having separate compounds, with the boring machinery located in one compound and other complementary works done elsewhere. Would that offer some leeway or scope for considering different areas as options?

We heard that alternative sites would not be discussed. It is clear from the community, including sports clubs, schools and local people in general, that the proposed route will not be accepted. We cannot adopt an approach of using compulsory purchase orders or railway procurement orders to railroad this project through against the wishes of the community. I am fully in favour of MetroLink but not at any cost. It would not be acceptable if the cost was the destruction of communities.

I asked about the environmental impact statement. Did it examine the effects of the project on local communities? Did someone consider what is happening to the community? Has a report been done on this issue? This would have been the first thing I would have done. I hope most of the underground route will be bored under roads, rather than houses. One would have expected work on these issues and the effects of the project on communities to have been done.

When a metro route through Ballymun was planned, the local authority imposed fees on every planning application in the area. Is this being reviewed? The fee amounted to between €1,000 and €3,000 per house and the money had to be returned. Will that issue be part of the considerations?