Judicial review into Metrolink project withdrawn

A judicial review into the proposed Metrolink in Dublin has been withdrawn, the Minister for Transport has said.

In a video posted on social media on Tuesday evening Darragh O’Brien said: “The mediation process has worked, the judicial review has been withdrawn.

He added “that means we’re full steam ahead” to go to tender and procure the project.

He said it will be “transformative” for North Dublin, Dublin city and the wider region.

Mr O’Brien said he was “delighted to hear the news” and thanked “all of those who were involved in the mediation process for reaching this agreement”.

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 euros.

In October 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 compulsory acquisition of land for the project.

On November 26 it was reported 20 residents in Ranelagh had filed a judicial review application.

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 euros being spent on those planned routes.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers welcomed the news, saying it was a “significant and hugely positive development which allows for the progression of this critical infrastructure project”.

He also said reform of the judicial review system is a “critical action point” in the recently published Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, which outlines how the government intends to improve the “efficient delivery” of infrastructure in Ireland.

He added that the government is “committed to prioritising the public interest and supporting the delivery of important capital projects over narrow interests”.