Metro North decision not good for Dublin or Ireland – Ellis
7 November, 2011 - by Dessie Ellis TD
Sinn Féin Transport Spokesperson Dessie Ellis has said the decision to scrap the Metro North project is not good for Dublin or Ireland. He said the decision by Minister Leo Varadkar will be a blow for those hoping to find work on the project.
The Dublin North West TD said:
"This decision will put an end to a process which started with the publication of Transport 21 back in 2005. Six years later, with massive consultation having taken place and in excess of 150 million euro being spent from the public purse it is to be abandoned. This is not good for Dublin or for Ireland and will be a blow the many people who had hoped to find work on the project.
"Metro North presents the opportunity to provide a world class light rail system for Dublin which would link the City Centre to the northern Dublin suburbs, businesses like Ikea and most importantly Dublin Airport. It would create thousands of jobs directly as well as many jobs from the ripple effect of this kind of major investment.
"It would cut traffic congestions making Dublin a better place to visit and an attractive place for foreign investors using Dublin Airport.
"The project also offers a great opportunity for continued development of areas like Ballymun and provides a link to Dublin City University, St. Patrick's College, Mater Hospital, the Helix and Axis theatres, Swords Pavilion and many cultural and commercial hubs.
"The RPA's cost benefit analysis proved that this project was worth the considerable investment and the current climate for the construction industry means that the work required is better value than ever envisaged. Other projects under consideration are not shovel ready and do not offer the wide ranging benefits to the city that Metro North does.
"This is a chance for this government to put jobs, infrastructure and development above the bailouts and the kowtowing to the troika, it would seem now they have failed miserably to do this. The possibility that we will scrap this massively worthwhile project just one week after the state paid 1billion dollars to unguaranteed bondholders is a huge indictment of this government and its vision for Ireland." ENDS