Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

My question concerns the proposed metro to Dublin Airport and Swords. In the Minister's plan, the completion date is 2012 and we have been informed that it will take a minimum of seven years to construct. By any reckoning, we are behind schedule. I understand the metro's route had already been agreed and that the RPA was working on proposals for a route from O'Connell Street, taking in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin City University, Ballymun, Dublin Airport and Swords. Work is underway on planning this route. The Minister appears to be suggesting that alternative routes could be examined and I understand he is inviting tenders today for some geotechnical testing on three different routes. Will the metro take the original route?

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