Michael O'Leary slammed for Dublin Metro ‘insult' as Ryanair boss blasts ‘waste of money' amid govt's €2billion promise
The 18.8km rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of
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The MetroLink is set to cost up to €20billion
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Micheal Martin defended the government's plan for a metro in Dublin city
Credit: Collins Photos
Various metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades but none have proceeded to build stage.
On Tuesday, the
While Finance Minister
"Dublin Airport doesn't need it,
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He said that while the tube in London runs from Heathrow and through "all of
"Here's the madness of this. This thing is going to start at Stephen's Green in the morning.
"If you want to get to our first wave of departures, which leave at about 6.30 in the morning, you need to be at the airport at 5.30am.
"Are you seriously going to drive into the centre of Stephen's Green, where there's no car parking, to get this metro to get to Dublin Airport for 5.30 in the morning? No, you're not.
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"Let me give you the alternative scenario: for €100 million, this year we could buy 400 buses, and 400 buses would provide exactly the same capacity as this metro from Dublin Airport, in through Ballymun, in through Drumcondra, on bus lanes that already exist."
He claimed the plan had not been properly costed and hit out at the Government's handling of public
'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine
"This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport?"
He also criticised comments by Mr Martin, who said the Irish capital will not be sustainable without a metro.
Mr O'Leary said: "Does he not understand that the buses actually will all be electrified by the end of this decade, which will actually be greener than light rail?"
Labour TD Duncan Smith said Mr O'Leary's criticisms of public infrastructure were as sure "as night follows day".
'DAILY GRIDLOCK'
Deputy Smith said: "Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. MetroLink is their best chance at affordable, reliable
"As a consistent advocate for MetroLink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn't rely on
"Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire."
When asked about his endorsement of Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and junior minister Robert Troy during the general election campaign, Mr O'Leary criticised Mr Martin again.
He stated: "I endorsed Peter Burke, who actually topped the poll despite the criticism.
"I also endorsed Robert Troy - and they're not the government."
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Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary criticised the metro plan as a 'waste of money'
Credit: Reuters
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