Minister commits to Cork light rail

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said next five years will be transformational for Ireland

A visualisation of part of the projected Cork Luas route showing a tram passing Páirc Uí Chaoimh on its way to Mahon. Image: LuasCork.ie

The period between now and 2030 will be “transformational for our public transport” across the country, according to the minister overseeing it.

As he confirmed his department will publish a development plan, transport minister Darragh O’Brien vowed that the Government is “committed” to a light rail system for Cork.

However, he warned that it will take several years to make its way through the planning system.

He made the comments at the opening of the new Dart station at Woodbrook in Shankill, south Dublin.

Woodbrook is situated between Bray and Shankill and will serve around 2,300 homes. It cost €24m.

Mr O’Brien stated this will be one of many new public transport projects to be opened across the country.

The National Development Plan review, published last month, allocated an additional €24bn to the department.

Mr O’Brien stated that the Government will continue to invest in public transport.

Transport minister Darragh O'Brien speaking to media after arriving by DART at the newly-opened Woodbrook station in Dublin on Sunday. Picture: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA

“These are your taxes that you paid invested in infrastructure for the good of all of our citizens and, indeed, visitors alike,” he said.

“We’ll continue to do that over the course of the term of this [Government over] five years between now and the end of the decade. I believe that this period of time can be transformational for our public transport system, particularly our rail system right the way across the country.”

Mr O’Brien told reporters that the Department of Transport received a “significant allocation” in the National Development Plan and will now examine which projects can be progressed.

Expanding rail network in Cork, Waterford, and Galway

He said the priority route for the Cork Luas is “out on display” and it is now a “matter for public consultation”.

He stated that the Government is “committed” to the project but that it will have to go through the planning process, which will take several years.

“Cork commuter rail, the gun is underway, the double tracking there as well [and] changes in the station,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Galway too [and] a new station and Waterford. It’s about really increasing frequency and capacity across our rail network.

“For the first time, this Government has put funding directly associated with Metrolink.

"Metrolink will be a game-changer for not just the North Dublin region, but the whole region. 

It’ll drive economic development. It’ll get more people out of their cars. It will improve quality of life as well.

“I’m waiting in anticipation for a decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála in that regard. Hopefully, if there’s no challenges with that, we can move to commence construction on that within the next two years, subject to it not being challenged in court. What I’ll be doing later in the autumn is actually publishing our own department’s National Development Plan for the five-year period.”

Mr O’Brien also said he disagreed with comments by businessman Dermot Desmond that the Metrolink will not be required, as advancements in AI will lead to more autonomous cars on the road.

He said: “This is a project of significant national importance. It would not be replaced by self-driving cars. AI will certainly advance our public transport offering, unquestionably.”