Transport Minister and Government Agencies Welcome MetroLink Railway Order
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 2 October 2025
- Last updated on: 2 October 2025
Nation-Building MetroLink to Transform Dublin and Ireland
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.
“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.”
Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Transport
“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.”
Hugh Creegan, Interim Chief Executive and Director of Transport Planning and Investment at the NTA
“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.”
Lorcan O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer, TII
“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.”
Sean Sweeney, MetroLink Project Director, TII
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.
Notes to Editors
By linking Dublin Airport, Irish Rail, DART, bus, and Luas Services, MetroLink will form part of a fully integrated public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. MetroLink will provide a high speed, modern, efficient metro rail service, with a peak capacity for 20,000 passengers per direction per hour. The journey time from Swords to the city centre will be approximately 25 minutes.
The MetroLink project involves 15 stations upon opening, running from north of Swords at Estuary through Swords, Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin and the city centre to Charlemont in the south of Dublin City Centre. A large portion of the route (circa 11.7km) will be underground, including under the city centre area and at Dublin Airport.
MetroLink is strongly aligned to the National Strategic Outcomes/policies set out in:
- Revised Project Ireland 2040 - www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/09022006-project-ireland-2040/#
- National Planning Framework - https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/national-planning-framework-ireland-2040-our-plan-npf-2018/
- Climate Action Plan 2025 - https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/climate-action-plan-2025/