Planning experts are urging the Government to take tips on improving the Luas from other European cities.

Proposals to extend the Luas Red Line to Poolbeg were floated by Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South James Geoghegan, with the former Lord Mayor saying the Transport Minister must act now.

Deputy Geoghegan said it would be madness not to go ahead with the move, which would bring the tram system from The Point to Ringsend and Irishtown.

The NTA's Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy includes proposals to extend the Luas to Poolbeg by 2042.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Professor of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin Brian Caulfield said we should be inspired by other light rail systems across the continent.

“Other countries, other cities, are able to deliver light rail a lot quicker than we are here in Ireland,” he said.

“What are they doing? What's the secret that they have that we don't have, or what do we have that they don't have to deliver?

“It is a no brainer, we should have had it 10 years ago.”

Luas trams. Image Emma Tyrrell Newstalk

Prof Caulfield said extending the Luas could be a gamechanger.

“It's a very good idea, it's such a good idea we've it's been on the books for about 10 years to happen,” he said.

“It's about two, maybe a little bit more than two kilometres of an extension, three stops.

“It should be very doable, we should have it now.”

A Garda standing next to a Luas. Picture by: RollingNews.ie