Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

It is important to cut to the chase. It is no longer a matter for the National Transport Authority or the Railway Procurement Agency. They continue to work on metro north. The issues around metro north relate to whether the Government will sanction it and this is the issue I would like the Minister to address. There is great uncertainty around what is likely to be the biggest infrastructure project in the State for the next decade and people do not know where we stand. They do not know whether the Government will sanction the €75 million which will be necessary next year to conclude the tendering process and carry out the ancillary works required before any major project can begin. Will the Minister give an indication of his and the Government's view on metro north at this stage? Is it going ahead or not?

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