An Bord Pleanála needs to shape-up as Metro North hit with needless delay - Kennedy

Dublin North T.D. Michael Kennedy, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, has accused An Bord Pleanála of failing to understand the need to progress the vital Metro project as a matter of priority following confirmation that a decision on the railway order for the project has been delayed.

“This delay is completely unacceptable and will be come as a surprise and genuine frustration to those working on the Metro.  I know the two bidders for the project have already expressed their unease at the announcement of the delay which arises because a report for An Bord Pleanála by a consultant is not complete,” said Deputy Kennedy.

“The construction phase of Metro North will create 7,000 jobs.  A report for Fingal County Council by Indecon has said that 37,000 jobs could be created for Dublin and North County area as a result of the economic benefit of the Metro.  It is totally incomprehensible that this vital project could be delayed for months because a report is not complete.”

“An Bord Pleanála has already had months to get its paperwork together on the issue of the railway order.  The fact that the board has written to the Railway Procurement Agency seeking an extension until October for a decision to be made on the order is very troubling.  I think at this stage An Bord Pleanála should be working round-the-clock to find a way around this delay and make a decision on the Railway Order as soon as is possible.”

“Commuters, businesses, residents and the Government all want to see this very important project for our capital city proceed as a matter of priority.  It is a matter of record that the Taoiseach and the Ministers for Finance and Transport all want this project to go ahead and go ahead as soon as possible.”

“The €4 billion Metro will take 20000 cars off the road and together with DART Underground it will transform public transport in Dublin.  The bidders are anxious, as am I, to see the Metro get the go-ahead and I urge An Bord Pleanála to ensure there are no further delays to this important project,” concluded Deputy Kennedy.