New name but same old story with Metro North under Fine Gael – delays and more delays!

Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the net result of Friday’s re-announcement of the project formerly known as Metro North, will be additional delays as it will not now be progressed until 2027 at the earliest.

“The long overdue project has been delayed by seven years and counting, with no definite timeline for development in sight.

“There is nothing in today’s announcement that brings its construction any closer. In fact, I suspect due to the addition of a south side section, it is likely to be even further delayed.

“Those living in North Dublin have been left waiting far too long for a project that has continually been mothballed by successive Fine Gael-led governments. 

“As I have consistently noted, this transport link is absolutely essential to the socio-economic development of North Dublin. Traffic chaos ensues across our communities and today’s rehashed announcement if anything, brings us backwards.

"During the last Fianna Fáil government, full planning permission was secured, land was acquired and a Rail Procurement Order was obtained. Therefore, there is nothing but a sheer lack of political willingness holding back this project from getting started right away.

“It is frustrating and deeply regrettable that more than half a decade has been wasted by Fine Gael’s inaction. North Dublin is being repeatedly ignored. 

“Giving the project a new name will do nothing to restore the public’s faith in it ever being delivered,” concluded O’Brien.