MetroLink has hired a Project Director following a global search for the most suitable candidate to head up the largest-ever public transport investment project in the history of the State.
New Zealander Sean Sweeney will take up the position to bring the Metrolink into operation.
MetroLink will serve 15 stations when it opens and will connect multiple residential communities in North Dublin such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as the city centre, Dublin Airport, major employment zones, education, transport and other facilities.
MetroLink's end-to-end journey time between Swords and the south city centre will be about 25 minutes.
A recent estimate has put the total cost of constructing the project at €9.5 billion.
Sean Sweeney is an expert in the procurement and delivery of large capital works and tunnelling.
He was the chief executive of City Rail Link, a transformative underground rail link in Auckland's city centre and New Zealand's biggest-ever transport infrastructure project.
Other notable positions held by Mr Sweeney include Executive Director for Major Projects Victoria in Australia, where he managed a multibillion-dollar portfolio of projects and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and chaired the Victorian Government Project Management Leadership Forum.
Given the specific expertise and experience required for the project, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform had sanctioned a base salary of €550,000 for the role.
It noted that this is below the mean equivalent rate of €623,516 for this level of expertise globally.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said that recruiting a world-recognised Project Director with a track record of getting massive infrastructural projects over the line is another important step in ensuring that this time MetroLink will be delivered.
"We now have one of the best people in the world on our team to get the job done," the Minister said.
"This transformational project is currently before planning. Once we get through the planning process, I am keen for us to go full tilt to get construction under way so that we meet our milestones and deliver a world-class metro system as quickly as possible," he added.
NTA chief executive Anne Graham said that MetroLink is about providing a frequent, reliable, sustainable alternative as part of an integrated public transport system, by making Swords, the northern suburbs and Dublin Airport more accessible to the city.
"Today’s appointment represents a significant step in this crucial project and is a clear indication that progress is being made."
Transport Infrastructure Ireland CEO Peter Walsh said that Mr Sweeney will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of the MetroLink programme, which aims to provide a new high-frequency, environmentally friendly public transport service.
"As our new MetroLink Project Director, Sean will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of this programme, which aims to provide a new high-frequency, environmentally friendly public transport service," he said.
"Through its connectivity with mainline rail, DART, Luas and BusConnects, MetroLink will transform public transportation in Ireland, addressing critical issues such as congestion, accessibility and sustainable growth," he added.
Last month an Oireachtas committee was told that over €150m has been spent on the MetroLink project. The Public Accounts Committee heard that to date €158m has been spent although "no significant physical work" has taken place.
Hugh Creegan, deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority, said that the money had been mostly spent on "design, investigations, planning processes and so on".
"The next stage is an intensive stage to prepare the tender documents and procurement," he added.
He estimates that it will cost "between €100m and €200m to get all the contracts".
