The decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant approval for the MetroLink Railway Order has been warmly welcomed by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, National Transport Authority (NTA) Interim CEO Hugh Creegan, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) CEO Lorcan O’Connor, and MetroLink Programme Director Seán Sweeney.
This planning permission marks a major milestone towards delivering MetroLink, a critical nation-building project for Ireland’s future. The decision facilitates MetroLink proceeding to procurement and construction in the coming years.
Today’s decision follows Government’s firm commitment, announced this summer in the NDP Review, to fund construction of MetroLink from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. The project will be further supported by proposals to be brought to Government shortly by Minister O’Brien to establish MetroLink as a statutory delivery body responsible for the construction of the project, reflecting its unique scale as the largest single investment project in the NDP.
Minister O’Brien said: “Today’s planning news is a hugely positive step for MetroLink, which is a key strategic project for the Government and Ireland. I’d like to thank TII and the NTA for developing the project to this stage. MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and – by linking directly with Dublin airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services – the entire country. MetroLink will provide a fast, high capacity, high frequency public transport route, and it will enable the construction of tens of thousands of new homes.”
Hugh Creegan, Interim Chief Executive and Director of Transport Planning and Investment at the NTA, said: “I’m delighted to welcome An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision. It marks a significant step in progressing a project that will dramatically improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and offer a real transport alternative to tens of thousands of people daily.”
Lorcan O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer, TII, said: “TII very much welcomes the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála. It is a significant step forward for Metrolink, a project that will transform the public transportation network of greater Dublin for generations to come. On behalf of TII, I want to thank everyone involved, including our Minister and his colleagues within Government for their collective efforts in achieving this major milestone.”
Seán Sweeney, MetroLink Project Director, TII, said: “We very much welcome An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision. MetroLink will shape the future of Dublin, provide a sustainable transport solution to growing demand, and unlock much-needed land development opportunities across the city and beyond.”
The Railway Order authorises all necessary works for the construction of MetroLink, a fully automated and mostly underground metro route, approximately 19km in length, from Swords to Dublin city centre.
In light of this planning decision and the €2 billion recently allocated by the Government in the National Development Plan Review for the commencement of MetroLink construction, the Government now intends to shortly bring forward legislation to establish a dedicated State delivery body for MetroLink. With the project moving from the planning to construction stage, this new body will help ensure a singular focus on delivering MetroLink in the public interest, reflecting its unique scale and importance for Ireland.
Further information on the project can be found at the MetroLink website www.metrolink.ie/#/home.