Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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387. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report to Dáil Éireann on developments in the scoping and planning for Metro North; if he or agencies of his Department have formed a planning unit in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3844/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The 'New Metro North' scheme was chosen as the most appropriate public transport solution to address the future transport needs of the Swords/Airport/City Centre Corridor under the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study carried out by the NTA. The scheme has been included in the Government’s new Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021'.It is expected that construction commence in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/27.  I understand that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has commenced initial work on the design and planning stages of the scheme in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and in line with their Project Management Guidelines.  The key objective of this first phase will be to determine the Route alignment. This will be informed by a number of key work streams and studies.

Thereafter, the NTA, in its role as Sanctioning Authority, will prepare a detailed business case for the project based on more detailed design and cost estimates of the route prior to lodging the Railway Order for the proposed scheme. The comprehensive appraisal will be conducted in accordance with the Government's Public Spending Code.