Each billion spent on delivering the MetroLink project is a “billion less spent on roads,” according to an independent senator.

The much-anticipated metro for the capital cost €150 million last year alone without a sod being turned and is expected to cost up to €12 billion once completed.

The proposed route would begin past Swords and includes 16 stops, such as Dublin Airport, O’Connell Street, and St Stephen’s Green, before finishing at Charlemont.

On The Hard Shoulder today, Senator Michael McDowell questioned whether it was worth the cost.

“There are plans for a rail link from the Drogheda-Dublin line via Clongriffin to Dublin Airport,” he said.

“The leading executive of Irish Rail said he could build that for less than one billion euros and do it in five years.

“At the same time, we’re spending between 12 and 20 billion building the MetroLink from Swords to the city centre.

“So, I wonder, are we seriously going for two rail links to Dublin Airport?”

Swords link

Senator McDowell admitted that something needed to be done regarding rail links from Swords.

“But Colin McCarthy, a transport economist, gave evidence to the Ombudsman saying that the bus link arrangement between Swords and the city centre was going to be reduced in terms of travel time by roughly 10 minutes,” he said.

“You have to ask yourself, you know, is between 10 and 20 billion worthwhile to achieve that end?”

An illustration of a MetroLink train | Image: MetroLink

Senator McDowell said roads need funding too.

“Every billion spent on rail will have to be a billion less spent on roads,” he said.

“You also have to look at things like the A5 road link to Derry and Donegal - Is that going to be prioritised?

Is the Dublin-Sligo motor route going to be upgraded or not? Is connectivity to Kerry going to be improved or not?

There are alternative decisions because there’s only a limited pool of capital to invest in infrastructure.”

Transport decisions

Senator McDowell said a small number of people are being allowed to make most of Ireland’s transport decisions.

"I just want people to understand that there is a small group of people right at the centre of the administrative structures of this country who are making decisions to allocate projects,” he said.

“The public are not being told a choice is being made.

“I accept that we expect people to make the decisions on our behalf, as long as we have an open debate on it.

“But nobody is actually putting it to the people at a local election, a national election, or anywhere else.”

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Main image: An artist's impression of a proposed MetroLink terminus station at Charlemont in Dublin. Image: MetroLink