Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the current phase of the Metrolink project; the expected timeline for the establishment of the designated activity company or body responsible for the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63314/25]

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. 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 Coimisiún Pleanála.

An Coimisiún 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 Coimisiún Pleanála held an additional round of public consultation from 19th August to 8th October 2024. An Coimisiún Pleanála published its decision to grant the MetroLink Railway Order on 2nd October 2025.

A Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy will be prepared for consideration at Approval Gate 2, in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, assuming no successful legal challenge to An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision.

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.

On Wednesday 12th October, Government approved my proposal to establish a dedicated MetroLink delivery body and the preparation of legislation to give effect to this proposal. Officials in my Department will now establish a working group consisting of relevant stakeholders, which will review practical and legislative issues to be addressed in established the dedicated MetroLink delivery body.