Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 17 October 2024, to provide a definitive timeline for the commencement of construction of Metrolink, as well as a timeline for its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2471/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, 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. 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.

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 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. TII engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. 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 in September 2024 when Sean Sweeney started as the Programme 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 prepare 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.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what consideration, if any, has been given to further extending the Luas Green Line as part of Luas Finglas to include a Luas stop in Ballymun; if not, the reason such a proposal has been rejected given the opportunity to provide a light rail service in Ballymun and link the Luas Finglas project with the Metrolink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.

The Luas Finglas project is part of four proposed Luas network extensions identified in the NTA statutory Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042. It is not currently planned to extend the Luas Green Line as far as Ballymun.

A Preliminary Business Case for the Luas Finglas project was prepared by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as the Sponsoring Agency and approved by the NTA as the day-to-day Approving Authority for submission to the Department of Transport. In October 2024, Government consent to approval in principle for the Luas Finglas project was approved at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order application for the project was lodged by TII with An Bord Pleanála in November 2024.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.