Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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303.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a review is being undertaken of the DART+ Coastal North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35760/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for the DART+ Coastal North project was submitted to Government in May 2024 and received consent under Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was thereafter lodged by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to An Bord Pleanála in July 2024.

As part of the approval process, the project PBC was reviewed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), as the day-to-day Approving Authority, as well as the Department of Transport, and an external review of the PBC was conducted by JASPERS which is an agency of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Subject to DART+ Coastal North receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, and funding availability, the project will advance through the subsequent Approval Gates as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines. This will require a review of the project's Final Business Case by the NTA and the Department of Transport, and submission to Government for final consent for approval.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.