Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has welcomed the positive response of daa chief Kenny Jacobs in relation to Sinn Féin’s proposal to establish a rail link between Clongriffin and Dublin airport. 

Deputy Kenny and Mr Jacobs discussed the topic of rail and bus links to Dublin airport as part of engagement with daa before today’s Oireachtas Transport Committee. 

Speaking after the committee, Teachta Kenny said:

“For some time now, I have been calling on the Minister for Transport to let us know where he stands on the development of a rail link from Dublin airport.  Minister Ryan keeps pointing towards the Metrolink project, but realistically that is a decade away from delivery – if indeed this government ever does deliver it.

“It is my long-held view that passengers, workers, and commuters need a DART service operating from the airport to provide a another form of public transport – along with Metrolink when it arrives.

“During engagement I had with Irish Rail on this matter at another sitting of the Transport committee, a timeline of 4-5 years for delivery was given by senior managers.  This was something that daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said today would be welcomed by the airport to compliment the services currently on offer via bus, and expected to be offered by Metrolink in the future.

“Rail travel is a more reliable alternative to coach and bus travel, and the option for establishing the Clongriffin to Dublin Airport route has been available for some time but has not been moved on by government. 

“As with the Metrolink, and many other infrastructure before it, the successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have failed to plan for population and passenger growth. 

“Due to the lack of reliable public transport we have significant numbers of people – particularly families – who rely on private transport to get them to the airport. 

“Sinn Féin has a workable and feasible solution to this.  This failing government must listen.”