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02 Oct 2025
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02 Oct 2025
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The Metrolink connecting Dublin Airport to the city centre has been granted planning permission.
The 18.8km MetroLink rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre at an estimated cost of 11 billion euro.
An Coimisiun Pleanala decided to grant permission generally in accordance with an inspector’s recommendation, which is contained in a 1,600 page report.
In granting the railway order, it also allows for the the compulsory acquisition of land for the project.
Various Metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades, but none have yet proceeded to build stage – despite more than 100 million euro being spent on those planned routes.
When operations commence, there will be trains every three minutes during peak periods.
The approval was welcomed by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, who will bring proposals to Government for the establishment of MetroLink as a statutory delivery body responsible for the construction of the project.
The project is the largest single investment project in the National Development Plan.
Mr O’Brien said: “Today’s planning news is a hugely positive step for MetroLink, which is a key strategic project for the Government and Ireland.”
He said MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and the entire country.
He added: “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.”
The Railway Order authorises all necessary works for the construction of MetroLink.
The journey time from Swords to the city centre is expected to last approximately 25 minutes.
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