The decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant approval for the MetroLink Railway Order has been welcomed by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and the daa. 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.
The decision follows the Government’s commitment, announced this summer in the NDP Review, to fund the construction of MetroLink from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. The project will be further supported by proposals to be brought to the 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.
Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Transport, 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.”
A spokesperson for daa said: “We call for the expedient delivery of Metrolink as a key element of the growth of Dublin Airport beyond 40 million passengers per annum.
“The development of MetroLink will enhance the unique role played by Dublin Airport as the island’s main gateway to the rest of the world, while underpinning the economy at large by facilitating tourism, foreign direct investment, trade and many thousands of jobs. daa is fully committed to continuing to work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on the co-ordination of the MetroLink development on the Dublin Airport campus.”
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 the 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.
