Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

What the Taoiseach referred to is a variation in the possible route for the metro on the south side. It is a variation in this sense. There is a real case to be made for Terenure-Rathfarnham but we can put that to one side because the Taoiseach has done so and concentrate on the UCD-Sandyford option because that has various characteristics. First, there is very high demand for transport. Second, it is a variation in the sense that it would address the long-term objective, which is already set out in the transport strategy, of upgrading the capacity capability of the green line. The Minister will know this more than anyone else because it is his constituents who will be discommoded if that was to be put back 20 years in respect of what the alternative possible approach would be now. I know the NTA is concerned and feels that under its legislative measures, it could not look at any variation because its statute requires it to do a full transport strategy and so on. That is why I asked the question. In respect of the Government coming to the view that there is something to be gained by not waiting 20 years to address that capacity issue on the green line and looking at the other routing because it also brings major transport benefits, from day one, it would see very high patronage and does not have any of the disadvantages referred to about low patronage areas. It could continue from where it is currently planned to stop with the far exit at Ranelagh on to Sandyford. There are about four stations and six km of routing that is ultimately doable. If the Government wanted to proceed with that, how would it suggest it?

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