Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the delivery of the Metrolink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41983/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway 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. MetroLink will be able to carry a peak capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction in the future. MetroLink will connect to Irish Rail, DART, Luas and bus services, as well as Dublin airport.

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 Approval Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This approval enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and in September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.

An Bord Pleanála held an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink in February/March 2024. This process allowed planning authorities, prescribed bodies, elected representatives and observers to share their views on the project. TII engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. Where possible, following engagement, TII has provided An Bord Pleanála with conditions agreed by both parties aimed at addressing their specific concerns. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála held an additional round of public consultation from 19th August to 8th October 2024.

Another key milestone was reached on June 2024 when Sean Sweeney was announced as the Project Director for MetroLink. Mr. Sweeney has three decades in leadership roles on major infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Subject to securing planning approval, and no successful legal challenges, TII will submit a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy for consideration at Approval Gate 2, in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. Dependent on the outcome of the planning process, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation by the mid-2030s.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on his visit to Cork on 24 May 2024 to mark the further development of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41894/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is noted as a key project in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The Programme will provide a more efficient transport service for the area to help facilitate population and economic growth over the coming decades.

The Programme will be delivered on a phased basis. Phase 1 of the Programme, ‘Enable future electrification of Cork Commuter Rail’, was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan (NRRP) as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 will be completed by Quarter 3 2026 as required by the European Commission.

This will see circa €164m of EU funds invested in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.

The construction contract for the additional platform at Kent Station was awarded in early 2023 and works are ongoing, with construction expected to be completed by 2025.

Iarnród Éireann recently awarded a contract for the double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton to BAM Ireland and construction commenced in September.

In addition to the Kent Station and double-tracking works outlined above, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to Alstom for a major signalling upgrade project on the Cork commuter rail network in June 2023. This signalling upgrade is required to increase the number of trains which can operate between Cork and Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. Overall, this project is on track for delivery by 2026.

Recently, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan appointing them as multidisciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme. This Phase provides for eight new stations, a new fleet maintenance depot electrification of the network and upgrades to existing commuter stations. Subject to the granting of the Railway Order and securing funding and achieving the relevant approvals, Phase 2 of the Programme will progress after Phase 1 works have been completed.