Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
167. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport what consideration, if any, has been given to further extending the Luas Green Line as part of Luas Finglas to include a Luas stop in Ballymun; if not, the reason such a proposal has been rejected given the opportunity to provide a light rail service in Ballymun and link the Luas Finglas project with the Metrolink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
The Luas Finglas project is part of four proposed Luas network extensions identified in the NTA statutory Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042. It is not currently planned to extend the Luas Green Line as far as Ballymun.
A Preliminary Business Case for the Luas Finglas project was prepared by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as the Sponsoring Agency and approved by the NTA as the day-to-day Approving Authority for submission to the Department of Transport. In October 2024, Government consent to approval in principle for the Luas Finglas project was approved at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order application for the project was lodged by TII with An Bord Pleanála in November 2024.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
