Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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475. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the forthcoming public consultation for the proposed new metro will commence; the timeframe for completion; the format the public consultation will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11133/18]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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501. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons the two previously proposed metro stops at Drumcondra Road and Drumcondra Avenue have been excluded from the route announced recently; the rationale for the elimination of these stops in the most recent plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11568/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 501 together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including the development of a metro scheme.

The recently published Project Ireland 2040 proposes to develop a Metro Link scheme to run from Swords, via Dublin Airport to Dublin’s south city centre (operating in tunnel under the city centre) and onwards to Sandyford using the existing Luas Green Line to ensure that growth along this corridor can be accommodated. This will provide Dublin with a high capacity, high-frequency cross-city rail corridor serving critical destinations such as Swords, Dublin Airport, Dublin City University, Ballymun, the Mater Hospital and existing destinations along the Luas Green Line to Sandyford. Metro Link will provide faster reliable journey times to and from these key destinations while offering interchange with other rail, DART Expansion, light rail and bus services. 

The NTA is expected to launch the public consultation process on the details of the Metro Link scheme (Swords to Sandyford) very shortly, with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2027.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for further reply on the information sought. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.