There is 'huge concern' about the impact of tunnelling under older homes in north Dublin for the MetroLink, according to a Labour Senator.
Marie Sherlock is calling for a scheme compensating homeowners for any damage to their property as a result of MetroLink works to be increased.
She said there are concerns that older houses along the proposed route may be more susceptible to damage - particularly near the proposed Glasnevin, Mater and Griffith Park stations.
Senator Sherlock told Newstalk Breakfast some owners of century-old houses along the route may need extra funding.
"My questions at the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing yesterday were very much around what assurances would be put in place for those homes," she said.
"Many of those homes are over 100 years old; their foundations are not of standard modern build, they're not concrete foundations.
"There is a huge amount of concern about the impact that tunnelling will have on those homes".
The route for Dublin MetroLink. Image: MetroLinkSenator Sherlock said a Property Owner's Protection Scheme from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) should be more fluid.
"My questions were with regards to the financial limit they have set on that," she said.
"They say they will cover all damage up to €45,000 and that is fine.
"Their modeling suggests there will be no damage in excess of that value, and we have to accept that is what their modelling says.
"But on the other side of it, we also have to provide assurances to householders that if there is damage in excess of that that's directly linked to the tunnelling that they will be looked after."
An artist's impression of Glasnevin MetroLink station. Image: MetroLinkSenator Sherlock said there can be no more delays as Dublin transport is at capacity.
"Some are suggesting that Luas is sufficient for the south-side, but anybody getting on the Green Line on the southside knows that you're like sardines at particular hours of the day," she said.
"Ultimately MetroLink will greatly increase the capacity to get around the city, to connect people from the airport to the city centre and to the south-side.
"My direct appeal yesterday to An Bord Pleanála was to get on with approving the MetroLink project, to ensure that assurances are in place for local householders but that we can't have any further delays," she added.
An Bord Pleanála is hearing discussions and examinations of issues surrounding the proposed MetroLink over the next several weeks.
