Planning permission finally granted for “game-changer” Metrolink

The long-delayed Metrolink project has finally been granted planning permission, nearly 25 years after it was first proposed.

The 18.8km rail line was granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála on Thursday, a major step forward in an infrastructure project that has been plagued by delays.

After hearing from members of the public and elected representatives in early 2024, hearing arguments for and against the project, the Metrolink is now expected to be on track by the middle of the next decade.

Both government and opposition have welcomed the move, with local Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, hailing the decision.

Speaking on Thursday, Minister O’Brien said, “the news is a hugely positive step for MetroLink, which is a key strategic project for the government and Ireland.”

“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.”

Seán Sweeney, MetroLink’s 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.” 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland told the hearings in February 2024 that traffic congestion will cost Ireland €2 billion per year over the next decade if the Metrolink is not built and that over time, the Metrolink will pay for itself and help Ireland meet its legally binding climate targets.

The proposed route will start at the Estuary station in Swords before taking in Seatown, Swords Central and Fosterstown before serving Dublin Airport itself.

Following on from Dublin Airport, the line will travel down to Northwood, Ballymun, Griffith Avenue, Glasnevin, the Mater and onto O’Connell Street before heading Southside.

It is estimated that the Metrolink will be able to carry 21,000 passengers per hour, helping significantly reduce congestion in Dublin.

Labour TD Duncan Smith said the planning permission being granted was a “landmark” moment.

“This is hugely welcome news for our community. MetroLink will be a game-changer for those who live and work near Dublin Airport and along the M1 corridor. Swords has been chronically underserved for public transport, this will be a new era of efficient, sustainable, and accessible transportation for Dublin,” the Dublin Fingal East TD said.

“We welcome the approval of MetroLink and hope for a smooth onward process leading to the swift implementation of this transformative project. The government need to ensure the project is delivered on time and cost-effectively. The time for action is now.”

Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Múiri said the decision is a “very positive signal that the MetroLink project is finally moving towards being a reality for Dublin residents.”

“A trip from Dublin Airport to the city centre will take only 20 minutes and will open up a multitude of opportunities for economic and social development,” he said.

“The decision taken today is an unmistakable sign that this Government is committed to delivering vital and long-awaited infrastructure in Ireland.”

Ó Múiri said, “the MetroLink brings us closer to improving the lives of families across Dublin and beyond.”

Welcoming the news, Dublin Chamber said “this is a once in a generation project that will transform connectivity across the capital, reduce congestion, support climate targets and underpin Dublin’s competitiveness as a leading European city for business and investment. This project will also unlock vast swathes of housing development in the North County.”

“Dublin has waited far too long for this critical piece of infrastructure. Every further postponement would undermine the city’s growth, sustainability and international reputation,” it said.

“The time for talking is over. The time for building is now.”

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee criticised her party’s attitude towards the Metrolink in July, saying “for too long, this project has been dogged by doubt and delay, often from the same voices, saying the same thing.”

Since the Metrolink was first proposed in 2001, 10 TDs have held the brief of Minister for Transport, including six from Clifford-Lee’s own party, Fianna Fáil.

In July, additional funding was granted for the Metrolink project from the government’s National Development Plan, with €2 billion in funding specifically earmarked by the government for low-carbon transportation, which includes the Metrolink.

The extra funding means that in theory, funding for the Metrolink will be protected in the event of an economic downturn.

The 2008 economic crash put the kibosh on the original iteration of the Metrolink project, which was first proposed in 2001.

The idea started to pick up steam in the final months of the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green government, which governed from mid-2020 until early 2025.

In 2023, the National Transport Authority announced a €25 billion plan for the development of transport infrastructure for the greater Dublin area over the next 20 years, with the Metrolink and improvements to various Luas lines included in the cost.

Speaking at the time, then-Minister for Transport Éamon Ryan said the spending plan was “a really significant plan for the country’s capital and the surrounding counties”.

“When delivered, it will bring back the sort of comprehensive rail network we had at the start of the last century – but it will be cleaner, faster and better value for money.”

Much has been made of the potential cost of the Metrolink – one pricetag put on the project earlier this year was around the  €23 billion mark, a figure that was cited in the worst case scenario of cost overruns or inflation-related pressures – but the general consensus is that the Metrolink should be built regardless of cost or economic circumstance.

The estimated price tag for the project is assumed to be between the €7.1 billion to the €12.2 billion mark, per a 2022 submission from the TII.

Despite grumblings from newspaper columnists about the potential costs, the reaction has been positive overall, with the common consensus that the Metrolink is “badly needed.”

The Mayor of Fingal, Fine Gael councillor Tom O’Leary, said “this is a great day for Fingal, for Dublin and for Ireland.”

“MetroLink is a vital piece of transportation infrastructure that will transform North Dublin economically; it is a game-changer that will ease traffic congestion and finally deliver rail access to Dublin Airport.”

Sinn Féin’s transport spokesperson, Kerry TD Pa Daly, took a more reserved approach to the planning permission news.

“The mistakes of the past must not be repeated, and if the government parties’ track records are anything to go, we are entering very risky territory.”

“For example, the ongoing fiasco at the Children’s Hospital would hardly fill anyone with confidence,” he remarked.

“Nonetheless, it’s impossible to turn back time. Now that planning permission has finally been granted, it is time to finally get this show on the road.”