An Bord Pleanala has approved MetroNorth today (Thursday) paving the way for the Department of Transport to go about completing a cost benefit analyses of the overall project.
“I welcome the decision of An Bord Pleanala with regard to this critical piece of infrastructure for Dublin, Fingal & Ireland. It is now up to the Department of Transport to initiate the cost benefit analysis to support the findings of the Rail Procurement Agency which has already found that for each Euro invested, the state will benefit to the tune of €2.
“As a Councillor who has just finished the 2nd last phase of the Fingal County Council Development Plan 2011 – 2017, I am aware of the considerable effort on the part of the Fingal County Council and my colleagues to ensure that Swords would be ready for Metro and that sound economic planning was initiated prior to the arrival of MetroNorth to the area.
“The benefit that MetroNorth will provide to the people of Dublin cannot be underestimated and I am certain that 20 minute journeys to the Airport from the City Centre will have a terrific knock on effect for the business community as well as those getting to and from their work places.
“Fine Gael remains committed to this vital project for Fingal, Dublin & Ireland. The initial cost of the project to the tax payer is €200 million and will create 5,000 jobs during the construction process and up to 37,000 jobs (Source: Indecon) in the long term, this has the potential to remove €100 million from the social welfare bill also.