Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) issues the Programme Delivery Partner Invitation to Tender for MetroLink

The Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) will play a vital role in the MetroLink organisation to successfully deliver one of Ireland’s largest Programmes of Work in State history

19 November 2025 - Transport Infrastructure Ireland has begun the process of inviting prospective bidders to tender for the Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) Support Services Contract for MetroLink.

Procuring the PDP represents another important milestone for the MetroLink Programme following successful and landmark market engagement events throughout Europe and the dedicated allocation of €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature fund by the Government of Ireland, and the inclusion of the Programme within the National Development Plan 2025.

The PDP will play a vital role of the wider MetroLink organisation, led by TII and in collaboration with existing partners and contractors, to provide expert guidance and insight into key areas in the delivery of MetroLink.  This role is crucial in ensuring that all aspects of the MetroLink project are delivered within a defined budget, required timeframe, and to the highest standards of safety and quality. 

The process of selecting the PDP is managed through eTenders, to ensure a transparent, fair and equitable process. Interested organisations can find more details via the link:

https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6941968

DR Seán Sweeney, MetroLink Programme Director, has welcomed this important development in the preparations for the delivery of this vital piece of infrastructure for Ireland.  “We are committed to working collaboratively with the industry to ensure that we harness the best expertise, innovation, and value from the market,” he said. “The PDP represents an incredible opportunity for suppliers to join MetroLink and be part of this historic and truly nation-building project for Ireland. This contract follows our successful round of market engagement and well-documented backing of the Irish government for the MetroLink Programme. This represents another key milestone for the Programme.”

Following completion of the tender process, TII intends to engage with the successful tenderer for Programme Delivery Partner Services for a period of approximately 12 years. 

About the PDP and MetroLink:

MetroLink will be procured through four major public contracts, along with a series of advance and enabling works packages (the M100 Contracts) designed to address preparatory issues.

The PDP will play a vital role within the wider MetroLink organisation, led by TII; and in collaboration with existing partners and contractors to support the delivery of MetroLink.

The PDP is predominantly focused on acquiring personnel resources with the capability, qualification, experience and skills to deliver the Programme Delivery Partner Services, outlined in the tender documents, supporting the overall delivery of the MetroLink programme.

The strategic objectives for the Programme Delivery Partner are to:

Safely and securely support TII in the procurement and delivery of MetroLink within the expected sustainability and quality standards, achieving Metrolink’s vision and the final output for the benefit of the greater public;

Create a true partnership with TII, its advisors, stakeholders and local communities for the public good, developing a capable, collaborative and resilient supply chain for the delivery of MetroLink while adhering to TII’s core values;

Achieve key delivery milestones efficiently and innovatively, ensuring operational readiness within the required timeframe;

Assist TII to deliver MetroLink within the defined budget while actively managing risks aligned to the strategic business requirements and ensuring the benefits arising from its use are realised; and

Foster knowledge-sharing and a high-performance culture with a focus on efficiency through lean resourcing and developing TII’s internal capabilities while delivering MetroLink successfully.

About MetroLink:

MetroLink is Ireland's first fully automated, high-capacity metro system, designed to transform public transport in the city.  Spanning approximately 19km, it will connect Swords to Charlemont via Dublin Airport and the city centre. 

This innovative and vital programme is a cornerstone of Ireland’s climate and mobility goals, supporting economic growth as well as urban connectivity and renewal. It will offer new business opportunities for a wide range of organisations, from large international firms to locally based Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). 

MetroLink will also support several thousand direct construction jobs for each year of construction activity up to its opening, as well as a further 2,500 to 3,000 indirect supply chain and support-related jobs each year. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is delivering MetroLink in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA), with construction set to take around nine years following receipt of the Railway Order.

For further queries regarding this press release, please contact MetroLinkComms@tii.ie

ENDS