Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

3 o’clock

I am happy to use this opportunity to restate the Government's commitment both to MetroLink and DART west. They are really important transport projects for Dublin. I read the story to which the Deputy referred and while I do not know if it is true, I can say that no Government decision has been taken to delay these projects, nor am I aware of any proposal to delay them. However, they will take time. They require railway orders and An Bord Pleanála hearings if and when there is a railway order. The project then has to go to tender and there have to be compulsory purchase orders and only then does construction start and construction will take some time. These projects will not happen quickly and we have to be honest with people about that. I am not aware of any Government proposal to take a decision to delay or defer them.

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