Metro North has been given the final go-ahead despite doubts about the future of the project.
It is reported that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar will announce before the end of the year the postponement of both Metro North and the Underground DART whose combined cost is estimated at €5bn.
However the Rail Procurement Agency are reported to have already spent €200m on the Metro project and are now due to select a winning bid to build and operate Metro North from two competing consortiums Celtic Metro and Metro Express.
It is also understood the successful company would be entitled to compensation if the project was deferred.
Minister Varadkar recently announced that the Metro West project would not be going through the planning process.
The Rail Procurement Agency was given permission for a 16.5km track from St Stephen's Green to Swords last October.
However An Bord Pleanala had shortened the proposed route and asked that the rail depot be moved from Belinstown north of Swords to Dardistown south of Dublin Aiport.
Today the board approved revised plans which would also involve permission for acquisition of lands.
Two plots are occupied by sports clubs Na Fianna and Whitehall Rangers, there is also land owned by Fingal County Council used as an aircraft viewing area and land belonging to the Dublin Airport Authority.
The permission will last for ten years meaning these lands and others along the route cannot be developed by anyone else in the meantime.
