624. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the economic assessment of MetroLink will take account of the potential for additional housing and development around stations as a result of the increased public transport capacity provided by the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64018/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted AG2 documentation, including the Detailed Business Case, to my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) earlier this year. My Department and the NTA have undertaken a integrated assurance process to accelerate review and approval times, rather than the usual sequential approach. This approach will maintain recent momentum gained on MetroLink while ensuring strong oversight at this stage, as the project prepares to move into detailed procurement. I expect to bring a recommendation to Cabinet over the coming weeks.

The Detailed Business Case was developed in line with my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework and the Government's Infrastructure Guidelines. Complementary analysis indicates that MetroLink will be key in unlocking future housing in the Fingal County and Dublin City administrative areas, with the potential to support the development of approximately 77,000 new housing units along its route.

MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a key project under the National Development Plan (NDP) and NDP Review 2025. MetroLink is designed to facilitate a peak capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction in the future.

An Coimisiún Pleanála published its decision to grant the MetroLink Railway Order in October 2025. This decision was subsequently subject to legal challenge, which, following successful mediation, has been withdrawn.

Construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation in the 2030s.