Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
57. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full and first year cost to establish a new statutory body for the MetroLink project; the funding which has been awarded; the number of staff the new body is planning to employ; the grades; if the staff will be new, or will they be seconded from elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15314/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in November of last year, the Government approved my policy proposal to establish a dedicated MetroLink delivery body and prepare legislation to give affect to this proposal. MetroLink is recognised as the largest public transport infrastructure project in the history of the State and the policy proposal approved was the culmination of research and analysis undertaken by my Department.
An interdepartmental working group, comprising officials from my Department, the NTA and TII, has been established to review the practical and legislative issues as well as the necessary governance requirements to be addressed in establishing the dedicated delivery body. Work is underway and I expect to bring a General Scheme to Government with these developed proposals by April of this year for a further Government decision to proceed with the legislative process through the houses of the Oireachtas. Issues such as those raised by the Deputy can be considered during the legislative process.
