Permission has been granted for Dublin's long-awaited MetroLink project linking the city centre to the airport.
An Coimisiún Pleanála published the Railway order this morning which gives construction for the MetroLink Project the green light.
The MetroLink plan consists of a new 18.8km railway line, most of which will be underground, from Charlemont near Dublin city centre to Swords Estuary in the north of the county.
The project was first mooted in the year 2000, but it was shelved during the financial crisis.
It is almost three years since An Comisiún Pleanála began considering whether to give the green light to the plans, after Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) applied for the Railway Order in November 2022.
The conditions with the granting of the order include complying with certain requirements to ensure protection of amenities and the preservation of features of heritage importance.
An Comisiún Pleanála states that an expert panel will have to review and sign off on "assessments" of certain locations including the area around Charlemont Station.
It says this will largely focus on "sensitive buildings" and "protected structures".
They say this is to ensure both protection of architectural heritage and to mitigate the risk of building damage during construction.
Proposals will also need to be submitted in cases where construction will cause disruption to residential services and activities.
For example, prior to the commencement of development, it states that the developer shall make an alternative training facility for Fingallians GAA, while in Glasnevin the removal of car parking spaces at one apartment complex, The Court, will require the developer making an alternative number of spaces available for affected residents until the completion of Glasnevin Station.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien welcomed the announcement, saying that it was a "critical nation-building project for Ireland’s future".
"MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and - by linking directly with Dublin airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services - the entire country," he said.
Read more:
Behind the Story Podcast: Will MetroLink ever be built?
RTÉ Brainstorm: Why Metrolink is a much needed connection for north Co Dublin
"MetroLink will provide a fast, high capacity, high frequency public transport route, and it will enable the construction of tens of thousands of new homes."
While it has now been given the green light by An Comisiún Pleanala, it must get final Cabinet approval before construction can begin.
Construction is expected to take several years with the final costs not yet known.
A metro for Dublin was first proposed over 25 years ago with repeated attempts made across decades.
The plans for MetroLink have raised concerns by many regarding cost overruns and delays.
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