Paul Murphy warns Metrolink to Beechwood ignores SW Dublin option
Paul Murphy criticised the Government's approval of the Metrolink business case to Beechwood for proceeding without considering a southwest Dublin alternative. He argued the alternative should be reviewed now and proposed approving the line only to Stephen's Green while commissioning independent reviews of extension options.
Immediate concern
The Deputy said a PQ answer from the Minister implied alternatives could not be considered outside a formal six-year review process, a rule he described as nonsensical and already breached. He warned approving the business case to Beechwood without assessing the southwest option would be a big mistake.
Proposal for interim approval
Paul Murphy asked whether it would make sense to approve the project up to Stephen's Green and then carry out independent reviews of the different southern extension options, rather than locking in a single route now.
Minister's response and route options
The Minister replied there are three south-side extension options - southwest to Tehran Eireann, Rathfarnham and potentially Antatala; an extension up the Green Line, which the Minister said is unlikely to be viable; and a southeast route to UCD, Still Oregon, Sandiford which could address capacity issues on the Green Line. The Minister said whichever option is best on transport, economic development, social and community development grounds will be chosen.
Decision framework and sequencing
The Minister said assessment of the options should be done within the review of the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy and that the proposal to extend beyond Stephen's Green does not preclude any option. He indicated a preference for the outlying proposal developed over 25 years by TII and NTA, with further extensions to the southwest or southeast to follow as a second phase.
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Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. Minister, I think the Government is about to make a big mistake in terms of approving the business case of Metrolink to go to Beechwood without considering the main alternative, i.e. going to southwest Dublin. I got a PQ answer from the Minister in relation to this, which seems to imply that the alternative cannot be considered outside of the formal six-year review process. That's a rule that wouldn't make any sense. It's a rule that has already been broken, and it means not taking into account the evidence that has emerged. So the question, very simply, is do you not agree it would make sense to approve it up to Stephen's screen and then have independent reviews of the different options? Deputy Murphy, there are three options for the extension to Metro in the south side. One is going southwest, Tehran Eireann, Rathfarnham, potentially Antatala. One is going up the Green Line, which I don't think will be a viable option for a whole variety of different reasons. And one is going southeast to UCD, Still Oregon, Sandiford, which would be able to address capacity issues on the Green Line. Whichever is the best option on transport and economic development, social, community development terms will be the one that picked. It is appropriate, from my mind, that to be done within the review of the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy. The proposal as developed by the Metro to extend beyond Stephens Green doesn't preclude any one of the options. I think it's better for us to go with the outlying proposal that's been 25 years in making from TII and NTA. But very much then, as a second development to look to extend further, either southwest or southeast, whichever is the more optimal option. Thank you.
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