A GROUP OF 20 applicants, mostly residents of Dartmouth Square, lodging an application for a judicial review of the MetroLink Project will result in “months” of delays, according to Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien. 

Speaking to reporters today at Government Buildings, where ministers were launching their transport project priority plan for the next five years, the minister said the objection will push out the timeline for the long-promised MetroLink. 

He said the start date for construction of 2027 is now going to be “a stretch” given the judicial review.

O’Brien added that he hopes the objectors will reflect on the matter and that the application will be withdrawn.

If not, he hopes the case can be adjudicated on expeditiously by the High Court. 

Today, The Journal spoke to a number of Ranelagh residents about the last-minute legal challenge that appears to have pitted neighbour against neighbour over the future of Dublin’s long-awaited MetroLink.

Rolling out MetroLink in phases being looked at

The minister said he is determined to deliver the project, stating that MetroLink could “potentially” be rolled out in phases. 

The minister indicated that MetroLink’s Project Director Sean Sweeney is looking into that matter, with O’Brien stating that such an approach would “make sense” as it would result in the project completion date, for some sections of the route, delivered earlier than expected. 

“We’re going to have to start construction somewhere, can it be constructed in a way that certain sections can be open? I know that something the Metro team are looking at,” he said, adding that the main focus now is getting to a stage where tenders and contracts can be awarded and work can get underway. 

Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews / Rollingnews

‘Disappointed’ 

“I’m disappointed that the judicial review has been taken frankly,” said O’Brien, telling reporters he wants the environmental division of the High Court to deal with the matter quickly.

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“I would expect that people would understand the importance of this project. It is the largest infrastructure project the government will deliver,” said the minister, while also stating that people do have a right to object to projects. 

A design of the proposed Charlemont Metrolink stop MetroLink MetroLink

Residents will be affected and there will be disruption to deliver a project like MetroLink, said the minister. 

“It’s impossible to deliver a project of this scale without there being disruption,” he said, stating that it is important to note that of the thousands of people along the route that will face disruption, it is only a handful of people that saw fit to launch a judicial review.

On the basis of competitiveness and in order to tackle congestion, the Metrolink Project is critically important, said the minster.