Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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254. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the MetroLink development as of July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40772/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is likely aware, the Public Spending Codesets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.

The Codesets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these Decision Gates. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle" is the first stage where the Public Spending Codestipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority has submitted MetroLink's Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Codestipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.

I would note that this is the first of three Government Decision Gates and, if approved by Government at Decision Gate 1, then "Decision Gate 2: Pre-Tender Approval" requires submission of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy which will be considered at that juncture, while finally "Decision Gate 3: Approval to Proceed" requires submission of a Final Business Case to allow substantive construction to commence.

Finally I would also note the review of the National Development Planwhich will underpin the capital investment programme out to 2030.