Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue which I know is close to his heart. He has been a very staunch campaigner on this issue on behalf of the people of his constituency and will continue to be until metro north is completed. I hope the date for its completion will be earlier than anticipated, but, obviously, I cannot make any promise because it is dependent on the exigencies of the financial situation which is permanently, particularly now, in a state of uncertainty and flux. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to debate this issue in the House. It will be regarded as an important debate and will give an indication of the Government's thinking about what will happen in the future.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with the new metro north project and funding is provided in the Government’s capital plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016 to 2021, to facilitate construction of the link, commencing in 2021, with a view to delivery by 2026 or 2027.

It has long been accepted that there is a public transport deficit in the Dublin area generally and the Fingal area on the Swords-airport corridor, in particular.

Fingal is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. As the Deputy mentioned, the 2011 census recorded Fingal as having close to four times the population growth rate of Dublin city and almost twice the population growth rates of the other council areas in the Dublin region.

Plans for the original metro north and other major projects had to be deferred in 2011 as a result of the collapse in the economy. The Government is pleased to be in a position to commence plans to provide a major public transport project along the crucial corridor from Swords and the airport to the city centre. Following consideration of the Fingal and north Dublin transport study by the National Transport Authority last year and the recommendations of the authority arising from the study, the Government decided that a light rail link running underground from St. Stephen's Green through Ballymun, under the airport and on to Swords would be the optimum long-term public transport solution for this strategically important corridor. The funding constraints that applied when the capital plan was being developed and which continue to apply mean that we are not in a position to deliver everything required immediately. Our first priority must be to ensure we maintain the existing transport infrastructure at steady-state levels in order that it remains safe and fit for purpose after the significant period of under-investment during the fiscal crisis. The funding being provided in the capital plan for public transport investment will see us reach steady-state funding levels by 2020. In addition, funding is being provided to commence critical transport projects such as the new metro north project to meet growing demand. As set out in the capital plan, it is expected that construction of the new metro north project will commence in 2021, with a view to delivery by 2026 or 2027. The estimated cost of the project is approximately €2 billion, excluding VAT. If additional funding becomes available in the next few years, the project preparations being made will position us to make progress with the project in line with available funding.

The revised metro north option being progressed is a more affordable version of the original metro north proposal that had been envisaged prior to the economic and fiscal crises. As such, it should provide greater value for money for the taxpayer. It is important to note that all of the essential components and benefits of the original scheme are being retained. I understand the main cost reduction elements will be a reduction in the length of elevated structure as a result of greater surface running in Swords, one fewer city centre station as a result of the replacement of the O’Connell Bridge and Parnell Square stations with a single station on O’Connell Street, shorter vehicles in line with lower passenger forecasts and smaller stations with shorter platforms to match the reduced length vehicles. The revised lower cost metro north will be a 16.5 km light rail line, with 8.5 km of the route running in a tunnel from St. Stephen’s Green to Griffith Avenue and under the airport. It is proposed to have 14 stops on the line - eight above ground and six underground.

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