Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible for the funding for the independent expert on the MetroLink project to be managed by his Department directly and not by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in order to avoid potential issues arising from a situation in which the agency tasked with the delivery of the project is the same agency that funds and sets the terms of reference for the independent experts. [15596/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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, including MetroLink.

The NTA works in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the planning and development of light rail projects, and is the approving Authority for MetroLink, as per the requirements under the Public Spending Code.

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.