Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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95. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding and if a copy will be provided of the detailed design works in relation to MetroLink as it relates to Estuary Court, Chapel Lane, and Ashely Estate in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31504/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is probably aware, the current status of the MetroLink project is that a Preliminary Business Case has been prepared by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and submitted by the NTA to my Department for review as is required under the Public Spending Code. Subject to Government approval and the completion of all necessary planning / environmental documentation, the scheme will then be submitted to An Bord Pleanála for planning approval, known as a Railway Order.

The Preliminary Business Case has been prepared on the basis of the Preferred Route for the scheme as has evolved during public consultations over 2018 and 2019 and which is available to view on the dedicated project website, www.metrolink.ie.

I am informed that in relation to the specific issue referred to by the Deputy that TII continues to have on-going engagement with residents in this area. The detailed design and relevant surveys will be published as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report which will form part of the Railway Order application for MetroLink. Obviously, all interested partiers will be able to make their views known as part of that Railway Order application process.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of and position regarding the daily intermodal freight train from Ballina to Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32444/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I understand that due to the significant increases in LoLo shipping services direct from Dublin Port to the continent, there have been some capacity constraints at one of the privately run terminals in Dublin port that caters to both LoLo and rail freight. As a result, this has impacted on rail freight services into the Port.

It is understood that the stakeholders involved, Doyle Shipping Group, its client IWT, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Port are currently engaging to explore how to resolve these issues. I encourage all parties to constructively engage to ensure the continuation of rail freight into Dublin Port.