2 days ago
Behind the Story: Will Dublin's Metrolink ever be built?
Metrolink consists of a new fully segregated 18.8km railway line, most of which will be underground, from Charlemont near Dublin city centre to out beyond the Swords area of the capital.
RTÉ's Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri told Behind the Story that she recently spoke to Metrolink Programme Director Sean Sweeney who said he wants to make it easier for firms to bid on the project.
The price tag and the route map have fluctuated over the years.
However, it is thought that a Railway Procurement Order - which would see it move into the construction phase - could be granted in the coming weeks.
Samantha told Fran and David in comparison to similar international transport projects, Metrolink is seen as important.
"The Ireland project is seen as a big one, it will be over the €10bn mark, but exactly what it will cost we won't know until those various people tender," she said.
"One of the difficulties that they're having getting people to tender is because of all the stopping and starting over the years, the last time this was pulled was after the financial crisis".
Companies that tender for Dublin's proposed Metrolink may be able to claim some of their money back if they are not successful in the bid under plans being considered by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien.
"So, what [Sean Sweeney] has asked the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to do - and this Government are considering this at the moment - is consider a scheme where the bidders can recover some of the costs of the tendering process."
Samantha explained there can be big costs involved just to be in the running.
"It can cost millions just to tender for these projects," she said.
"It takes over a year and a half in planning, design and that kind of thing.
"So, he wants to be able to go to the different construction companies and say, 'You can bid for this but if you're unsuccessful you can claim back a portion of that' and it'll be capped at a certain amount.
"A spokesperson for Darragh O'Brien told me that he is considering such a scheme".
Samantha said the Metrolink is something that Minister O'Brien wants to drive forward.
"They really want to get this project up and running and, of course, it is in his constituency as well".
