The resumption of public discussion about the £9.5 billion MetroLink line has been commanded by An Bord Pleanála, following new details submitted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) during a six-week deliberation on the railway project.
The session over the 18.8km railway network from Swords to Charlemont, featuring 16 stops that also cater to regions including Dublin Airport and the urban core, is anticipated to wrap up this week. However, TII has been advised to disclose novel details it proposed during the execution of the session.
Nearly 200 supplementary records were provided over the session, with 39 on the very first day. A few of these records were administrative, correlating to the procedural sequence of the session, and others were agreements that were reached with landowners along the network.
Nonetheless, various individuals who contributed to the session mentioned the incorporation of significant novel data about the project by TII, which they did not have the opportunity to examine prior to formulating their appeals to the board.
Board investigator Barry O’Donnell confirmed on Tuesday that in due course there would be a “need to readvertise,” providing anyone who contributed to the MetroLink application an opportunity to “expound in detail” on the new information.
Paolo Carbone, leader of public transport and capital projects at TII on Tuesday, was “glad that the investigator has indicated that all of the new details, contributed by the applicant at the session, will be advertised publicly and an opportunity for those interested to make contributions will be given.”
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has indicated it will wait for official communication from the board about the necessary guidelines for the pronouncement of the supplementary data, in advance of it issuing the advert which will feature how the documents maybe accessed, how individuals can make any proposals on the content and the deadline for those.
While the hearings are expected to conclude this week, it remains uncertain if the board will resume public hearings for oral declarations to be made on the content or if extra appeals would be considered solely in written form.
Before the session commenced, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport expressed his conviction that the board would issue its judgement on MetroLink by this year’s end. At this point, it remains unclear if the revival of public discussion will impact this timetable.
A representative from the board stated they are unable to issue any additional statements on this matter as the case is still under their consideration.