Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Although there have been many complaints that the MetroLink is not needed where the green Luas line already runs, I would like to emphasise that this sentiment is not shared by residents on the northside of Dublin who desperately want a rail system built to connect them to the capital. MetroLink should revise the current project plans and divide the construction into two phases. That way the northside construction can proceed as scheduled, unaffected by the delay caused by protesting residents on the southside.

There is a massive infrastructure deficit on the M1 Corridor with traffic bumper to bumper on a good morning. This is adversely affecting all bus routes, including express services which cannot avoid the congestion. On a bad morning, if there is a breakdown or an accident, everything on the M1 just grinds to a halt. The MetroLink is the best solution to this problem because it will reduce traffic on the roads, while also quickly moving more people to the airport, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Dublin city centre. Reduced traffic leads to less road traffic accidents, as the Minister will appreciate as he also has responsibility for that, and faster commute times.

See this speech in context