Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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669. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the further planning which has been carried out by his Department and State agencies under his aegis into the construction of the Dublin Airport Swords to central Dublin fixed line public transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32821/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with the new Metro North light rail link connecting St Stephens Green to Swords, via Dublin Airport.  Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and to begin construction of new Metro North.  Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the new Metro North project.

The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis.  The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations.  Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established.  It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.