Overview

• An Coimisiún Pleanála granted statutory permission for MetroLink, authorising compulsory land acquisition for the 18.8km mostly underground line linking Charlemont, Dublin Airport and Swords Estuary.
• The project must secure final Cabinet sign-off before construction can begin, with timelines and final costs yet to be confirmed.
• Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien welcomed the decision and will bring proposals to Government to establish a statutory delivery body to deliver the scheme.
• Planning documents indicate trains running roughly every three minutes at peak times and an expected Swords‑to‑city journey of about 25 minutes.
• Media reporting places the estimated cost at around €11 billion, while concerns persist over possible delays and budget overruns.