The head of Dublin’s long-awaited MetroLink project has stepped down less than two years after taking up the role, prompting fresh calls for urgent Government action to ensure the major transport scheme remains on course.
Seán Sweeney, who has served as programme director for MetroLink, confirmed this week that he will resign from the position this summer, citing personal and family reasons after several years working far from home.
The New Zealander said the demands of leading the high-profile infrastructure project had come at a growing personal cost, with his family based more than 10,000 miles away.
“Leading the MetroLink programme has been one of the greatest professional privileges of my career,” he said.
“However, after several years away from home, the sacrifice of being separated from my partner, children, and grandchildren, who are over 10,000 miles away, has become unsustainable.
“It is with deep regret that I leave MetroLink, however, I know it is the right thing to do for everyone.”
His departure comes at a critical stage for the project, which aims to deliver an underground rail line connecting north Dublin, the airport and the city centre, and has long been seen as a key solution to congestion and transport capacity issues across the capital.
Sweeney insisted the project is now firmly established and moving forward, highlighting what he described as a strong foundation built during his tenure.
“A programme like MetroLink will have many parents and I always believed my role was to get the programme up and running,” he said.
“I am proud to leave the programme with a highly committed and experienced executive team, full Government support as well an operational Railway Order and MetroLink fully funded into construction. MetroLink is no longer a ‘proposed’ plan, it is a live delivery project.”
He also pointed to strong interest from the market and continued political backing.
“The market appetite is huge, the political support is firm, and the team I leave behind is the best I have ever worked with. I want to thank Minister O’Brien, the TII Board, and the people of Dublin for their trust. I look forward to seeing the first tunnel boring machines start their work, knowing the foundation is rock solid.”
Transport Infrastructure Ireland confirmed that an open competition for a successor will begin immediately, with deputy programme director Michael Flynn set to take over on an interim basis.
TII chief executive Lorcan O’Connor acknowledged Sweeney’s contribution, describing his tenure as a pivotal period for the project.
“It is with a mix of gratitude and regret that I confirm the departure this summer of Seán Sweeney as Programme Director of MetroLink,” he said.
“Seán joined us at a critical juncture when MetroLink was in need of a steady hand to build a strong team, generate market interest, secure planning and steer the programme into the procurement phase. During his time, the project has secured its most significant milestone to date, securing the Operational Railway Order in January 2026.”
O’Connor said the project has advanced significantly under Sweeney’s leadership, with major preparatory work now completed and procurement processes underway.
“Seán has assembled an executive team with over 250 years of collective experience in delivering global mega-projects.
“Under his watch MetroLink now has a completed reference design, a live procurement process, comprehensive political support and a level of international market confidence Ireland has never seen before.”
He added that key milestones are expected before the end of the year, including issuing contract notices for major service delivery packages, inviting tenders for civil engineering and infrastructure works, and beginning advanced enabling works across 21 separate contracts.
Despite those assurances, the resignation has triggered political concern, with Labour transport spokesperson and Dublin South West TD Ciarán Ahern warning that any delay in appointing a replacement could jeopardise progress.
In the Southside, Metrolink will run through Tara Street and St Stephen’s Green before terminating at Charlemont Street.
A CGI of what the Metrolink station in Charlemont will look like
“Metrolink should be a flagship project for this Government and this latest set-back cannot be allowed to linger,” Ahern said.
“We’ve already been waiting more than 20 years to get shovels in the ground on this so it’s absolutely essential that a new programme director is put in place urgently.”
Ahern pointed to last year’s planning approval as a major breakthrough after years of delay and said momentum must now be maintained.
“The approval of planning permission last year was a major breakthrough after years and years of stagnation on the project. We cannot allow further delays on it.”
He reiterated the wider significance of MetroLink for Dublin, both in terms of transport capacity and environmental targets.
“Metrolink will be a gamechanger for Dublin. It’s essential to addressing gridlock in our city and connecting our airport to the city centre.
“It’s also a vital element in our push to reduce car dependency and our climate emissions, representing a new era of efficient, sustainable and accessible public transportation for Dublin.”
Calling the resignation a blow, Ahern (pictured above) urged the Government to act quickly to maintain confidence in the project.
“The resignation of the project lead on Metrolink is a blow that requires an urgent response from Government.
“We need to see a new appointment sooner rather than later to ensure that this project is delivered on time and cost effectively.
“Government needs to move swiftly so that we get this critical public transport project over the line.”
He also called on Minister Darragh O’Brien to take a more direct role in ensuring continuity.
“This Government has consistently said that they’re prioritising critical infrastructure.
“We need to see them put their money where their mouth is here. Metrolink is too important to delay any further.
“We need to see Minister O’Brien step up to the plate and drive the project forward in the interim until a suitable replacement for the programme director is found.”
Alongside the leadership change, Transport Infrastructure Ireland has also moved to advance other elements of the MetroLink programme, including engagement with construction and engineering firms.
A Prior Information Notice has been issued inviting companies of all sizes to take part in a market sounding exercise related to the project’s Property Owners Protection scheme.
The initiative is aimed at addressing concerns among homeowners whose properties are located close to the planned MetroLink route, particularly in relation to potential damage arising from construction works.
Firms are being asked to provide details of their expertise and capacity to carry out a range of minor building works under the scheme, with a particular emphasis on encouraging participation from small and medium sized enterprises.
These works could include repairs, maintenance and upgrades such as carpentry, painting, insulation improvements, electrical and plumbing works, as well as accessibility upgrades, noise barriers and glazing replacements.
National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Shaw said early engagement with industry would help ensure the scheme is delivered effectively.
“Encouraging early input from industry will help ensure that the approach to minor works is both practical and responsive to local needs,” she said.
O’Connor said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to collaboration as the project moves into its next phase.
“This market sounding exercise is an important initiative that will shape how MetroLink delivers the minor building works under the Property Owners Protection Scheme.”
Sweeney, prior to announcing his resignation, also highlighted the importance of involving a wide range of organisations in delivering the project.
“MetroLink needs organisations of all sizes, including small and medium firms, to come on board to support us in the delivery of these vital works for the good of the community,” he said.
While MetroLink has moved closer to construction than at any point in its history, the departure of its programme director has introduced a new element of uncertainty at a crucial time.
With procurement processes advancing and enabling works due to begin, attention will now turn to how quickly a successor can be appointed and whether the project can maintain its current momentum.
After decades of delays and false starts, the coming months are likely to prove decisive in determining whether MetroLink can finally move from promise to delivery.