Paul Murphy: Demand for Independent Metro South West Study
Paul Murphy addressed the Dáil calling on the government to honour the Programme for Government and commission an independent feasibility study into extending Metrolink to South West Dublin. He warned that folding the study into the National Transport Authority's six-year strategic review would be a rollback and would not meet the commitment to an independent feasibility study.
Key demand: Paul Murphy insisted the programme for government explicitly promised an independent feasibility study for Metro South West and argued that treating the work as part of the NTA's regular review is not what was promised. He highlighted that 350,000 people live between the red line and the green line and would be served by the extension, and appealed to the Minister to meet the Metro South West campaign group.
Context and consequences: The Minister for Transport confirmed the government intends an independent feasibility study but explained the NTA will reassess metro needs as part of the greater Dublin area transport strategy review, due to conclude in 2028. The Minister also outlined recent progress on Metrolink, Bus Connects integration and the capacity now developing to build and operate metro projects, which frames the wider planning and procurement environment for any new metro line.
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The case for Metro South West is extremely strong. There's 350,000 people living between the red line and the green line. That's who will be served by this. And what we're asking for is for the government to live up to the commitment in the programme for government. Quote, commission an independent feasibility study into continuing Metrolink from the city to South West Dublin. What appears to be happening from the PQs, from the written correspondence, is that is being rolled back on. That's now turned into part of this, it'll be examined as part of a broader strategic review process by the NTA. In other words, just part of a regular six yearly review process. That's not independent, getting the NTA to do it is not independent and it isn't a feasibility study. So it's there in black and white in the programme for government and the government needs to live up to its commitments to give a new property independent feasibility study and I would appeal on you Minister to ask the Minister for Transport to meet with the Metro South West group who have been doing such excellent campaigning on this issue. Thank you Ken Corley. First of all can I say on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Dara O'Brien, I'd like to thank the deputies for the opportunity to address this issue in the house today. Already a number of deputies have alluded to it. The programme for government commits to commissioning an independent feasibility study continuing Metro link from the city to South West Dublin and can I say that the government is committed to undertaking an independent feasibility study for a Metro to South West Dublin. For those of you reading what's in front of you that's actually in my final response but given that a number of deputies raised it now I just wanted to clarify that before other deputies came back in. Providing an integrated transport network that lets people travel conveniently and efficiently across Dublin is essential as we encourage greater use of public transport. For this reason we plan and develop public transport in line with the greater Dublin area transport strategy 22 to 42 rather than in isolation to maximise the use and benefits of each proposal and project. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the transport strategy and must review it every six years meaning that the next review is due to be concluded in 2028. As part of this review the NTA will reassess the need for additional Metro lines amongst other transport options in the greater Dublin area. This review will consider updated travel demand forecasts as well as changes in land use and spatial planning policies. This background analytical work is expected to commence over the next year. The feasibility study for a Metro to South West Dublin will be undertaken as part of this broader strategic review process. The deputies will, I hope, understand that this approach will help ensure that it is considered in an integrated and holistic manner alongside wider transport and spatial planning objectives for the greater Dublin area. Commission on Planola published its decision to grant the Metrolink railway order in October 2025 and a subsequent potential legal challenge was withdrawn following successful mediation by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This means that Metrolink secured an operative railway order or full planning permission in January 2026. Metrolink is now progressing at pace towards procurement and construction. With this key milestone now achieved, attention is turning to the preparation of the review of the strategy. As I mentioned, any consideration of new transport projects will not happen in isolation. The upcoming review of the strategy will ensure proposals complement those already underway including Bus Connects. Bus Connects Dublin, as the deputies are aware, is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system across Dublin. Through the roll-out of new routes and construction of core bus corridors, Bus Connects has and will continue to provide benefits for public transport users across Dublin City and its suburbs, including in South West Dublin. In addition, we must recognise that Metrolink's design and alignment, including terminating at Charlemont to the south of Dublin city centre, will facilitate the seamless integration between Metrolink and any potential new metro line to the south or south-west. With Metrolink due to enter construction in the coming years, we will have for the first time the people, the skills and the knowledge to build and operate metros. you
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