John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allow stakeholders such as local representative groups to have an input into both the terms of reference and the liaison with the appointed consultants in relation to the feasibility study for extending the MetroLink to south-west County Dublin in keeping with the Aarhus Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13423/21]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the feasibility study on extending the MetroLink to south-west County Dublin will focus on a continuation of the link from Beechwood to Knocklyon as opposed to a standalone metro line on the Knocklyon corridor as is proposed in the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13424/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink.

The Deputy is aware that the study refers to forms part of the statutory review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. An initial public consultation period on the review ended in January and I understand a second public consultation period will be held later in the year.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local community groups will be invited to participate in the upcoming strategic rail review; and if an estimated date for the start of this review will be provided. [13451/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I can inform the Deputy that my Department is co-operating with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and other relevant stakeholders in order to develop terms of reference for a strategic rail review of the network on the island of Ireland.

It is certainly my intention that any finalised terms of reference will provide for a public engagement process to allow for groups such as those you mentioned make their views known.

For the Deputy's information, the ambition remains to have the initial phase of work completed to allow for the launch of the tender process by end Q1 and the study to begin in due course.