Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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361. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the deadline for a decision on DART Coastal from An Bord Pleanála has been pushed back from February 2025 to October 2025; the reason this much needed project for north Dublin has been delayed again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12432/25]

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, including the DART+ Programme.

My Department submitted the Preliminary Business Case for DART+ Coastal North to Government, at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, and the project received consent for approval in May 2024. A Railway Order was subsequently lodged by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to An Bord Pleanála in July 2024. The Statutory Consultation period ran from July 2024 to October 2024. The project is currently awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála. The timeline for the consideration of the Railway Order and the length of the decision making process is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.

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