The Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, today (23 December 2025) welcomes confirmation that the residents of Dartmouth Square West have decided to withdraw their judicial review proceedings in January following a period of constructive mediation.
The judicial review related to An Coimisiún Pleanála’s (ACP) decision to grant a Railway Order for MetroLink. This resolution avoids the need for a full High Court hearing and provides important certainty for the delivery of MetroLink, a nationally significant public transport project.
Minister O’Brien said: “I’m delighted that this mediation process has resulted in an early Christmas present for us all, with the news of the withdrawal of the judicial review proceedings against MetroLink. It means we can enter the New Year with renewed optimism as regards delivery of this transformative project. This Government has committed dedicated funding toward the project and we’re committed to establishing a dedicated delivery body to oversee the project’s construction, while next year will see the first steps taken in relation to procurement. Today’s announcement means we now have a clean planning decision which will give everyone the certainty needed about next steps.”
Anne Shaw, CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA), said:“The National Transport Authority (NTA) is committed to delivering transformative public transport infrastructure for Dublin. The withdrawal of the judicial review provides the certainty needed to keep MetroLink moving forward—a project that will reshape connectivity across the city and indeed the country and support sustainable growth for decades to come.
MetroLink will be a cornerstone of Ireland’s transport future and is a key project under the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, enabling compact development, advancing climate goals, and ensuring Dublin has the modern, efficient network it needs.”
Lorcan O’Connor, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), said:“Over recent days, I have met with Dartmouth Square residents and listened to their concerns first-hand. I greatly appreciate their constructive approach, which has led to agreements that work for all sides. This is another significant step forward for Ireland’s largest infrastructure project.”
Welcoming the news Seán Sweeney, MetroLink Programme Director said:“The withdrawal of the judicial review provides clarity for the programme and the market at a critical point in its development. With this matter resolved, our focus now is on progressing enabling works and advancing procurement, with contract notices for the main civil works packages to be issued in Q1 2026. MetroLink is a once-in-a-generation investment in Ireland’s public transport network, and we remain committed to delivering lasting benefits for communities, passengers, and the wider economy.”
Background: MetroLink is a fully automated, mostly underground metro system, approximately 19km in length, connecting Swords to Dublin city centre and linking directly with Dublin Airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas, and bus services. It is designed to provide a fast, high-capacity, high-frequency public transport route, supporting Ireland’s climate objectives and enabling sustainable urban development.
23/12/2025
