Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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167.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position of the independent expert contract in place to review additional documents released by TII at the Metrolink hearings. [31153/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new rail line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. MetroLink will serve multiple residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as the City Centre, Dublin Airport, major employment zones, education, transport, and other facilities. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.

A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the Minister for Transport secured approval for the project from the Cabinet under Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This decision enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and on 30th September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (or TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16th January 2023.

An Bord Pleanála commenced an Oral Hearing in relation to Metrolink on February 19th, which finished on March 28th. An Bord Pleanála recently informed TII of the requirement to publish additional information following the Oral Hearing for MetroLink. Dependent on the outcome of the planning process, and no successful legal challenge, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation by the mid-2030s.

Another significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared this June when the appointment of Sean Sweeney as the MetroLink Project Director was announced.

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, in conjunction with TII.

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.