John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planning process for the MetroLink; when the MetroLink can expect to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36225/25]

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 then-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. A planning decision is awaited from An Bord Pleanála.

Another key milestone was reached in September 2024 when Dr Séan Sweeney started as the Programme Director for MetroLink. Dr. 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 around the mid-2030s.