Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify whether it is Government policy to commit to the proposed replacement of the Green Line Luas as the future southern extension of MetroLink, or whether multiple options remain open for the future development of public transport rail infrastructure servicing the south Dublin area. [55612/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The MetroLink route approved by Cabinet on 4 July runs from Estuary, North of Swords, to Charlemont in the City Centre. This does not include upgrading the existing Luas Green Line to a metro system. During the public consultation, a concern arose about the need to close the Green Line for a prolonged period during an upgrade. Acknowledging these concerns, an alternative approach has been developed that allows the current route of MetroLink to be built now and allows also for a possible future extension from the southern terminus of Charlemont, including an upgrade of the Green Line to metro standard.

There were a number of studies and reports that informed the development of Dublin's integrated transport system, as set out in the draft Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Transport Strategy 2022-2042, including feasibility studies for Metro to Knocklyon and Metro UCD to Sandyford. While the draft strategy states that the south Dublin area is best served by bus rapid transit (such as BusConnects) and light rail (such as Luas) for the foreseeable future, it notes that the MetroLink terminus at Charlemont can facilitate any potential future metro extensions to serve the south west, south or south east of the Dublin area should sufficient demand develop. The draft transport strategy proposes a Luas Green Line upgrade project after 2042 to deliver significant additional capacity as required.

The NTA reviews and updates the GDA Transport Strategy every 6 years and so the issue of a southern extension of MetroLink may be reconsidered in future.