Dublin, 2 October 2025 — Ireland’s long-awaited MetroLink project has cleared a major hurdle after An Coimisiún Pleanála granted approval for the Railway Order, authorising construction of the country’s largest ever public transport investment.
The decision was hailed by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, alongside senior figures from the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), as a transformative step for Dublin and the wider region.
MetroLink, a 19km fully automated metro line running from Swords to Charlemont via Dublin Airport and the city centre, will feature 15 stations, most of them underground. With trains expected every three minutes at peak times, the system is designed to carry up to 20,000 passengers per direction per hour, cutting journey times from Swords to the city centre to just 25 minutes.
Minister O’Brien described the approval as “a hugely positive step” that will not only improve connectivity but also support housing development and economic growth. NTA interim CEO Hugh Creegan said the project would “dramatically improve connectivity and reduce congestion,” while TII CEO Lorcan O’Connor called it “a project that will transform the public transportation network of greater Dublin for generations.”
The government has already earmarked €2 billion in the National Development Plan Review to commence construction, with further legislation planned to establish a dedicated statutory delivery body to oversee the project.
MetroLink has been described as a nation-building initiative, linking Dublin Airport with rail, Luas, and bus services, and forming the backbone of an integrated transport system for the Greater Dublin Area.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien Picture by AirNav Ireland
