Mr. Hugh Creegan:

It was raised by a number of members. A piece of work that we have done - I appreciate that not everyone agrees with it - indicates that metro south west does not stack up economically at the moment. That may change. The terminal point of the tunnel for the MetroLink, assuming it gets the go ahead and is built, is designed to facilitate a connection going either to the green line or to the south west. Alternatively, it could head over to UCD slightly circuitously. However, it most definitely facilitates a connection to metro south west, so it does not preclude such a connection in the slightest. Some groups are concerned that, by bringing it to Charlemont, we are effectively trying to prevent it from going to the south west. Absolutely not. Equally, there is an idea that St. Stephen's Green is the better location, but it is not. The location we have chosen allows the MetroLink to connect with the green line, if required in future, or into the south west, which is more likely.

In reviewing the strategy, which we have to do every six years, we have given a commitment - it is on page 143 of the strategy - that we will assess the requirement to provide additional metro lines in the greater Dublin area based on the updated forecast for travel and demands, emerging significant changes in line use, etc., including previously considered options for extending MetroLink southwards towards UCD, along the existing green line or towards south-west Dublin. We have committed in the strategy to re-examining the matter at the next review, which will be six years from now. Assuming MetroLink is allowed to proceed, nothing we are doing now will preclude a metro link from going to the south west. I hope this gives some comfort.