Metro North To Hit Buffers Under Labour

A huge construction project that could produce hundreds of building jobs and revolutionise transportation from central Dublin to its northern suburbs would be spiked by the Irish Labour party if it should gain power in the Dáil.

The planned Metro North underground development has been proving divisive with people from Dublin's Northside criticising the Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore after he stated he would put the long-promised Metro North project "on the backburner".

The idea of stalling the proposed major building contract sparked outrage among Northside area representatives, as they will most benefit from the project.

The huge construction project would see a link run from St Stephen's Green to Swords and create an estimated 7,000 jobs.

Mr Gilmore recently revealed that if in power, Labour would redo the National Development plan and 'prioritise those projects likely to create the most jobs".

"Metro North would be shot back," he told Marian Finucane on RTE radio.

The Dublin People newspaper reported last week that Dublin Central TD Joe Costello confirmed that if Labour came to power, the plans for Metro North would be reviewed and put back if necessary.

Deputy Costello said his party is calling for a full disclosure of the cost benefit analysis in relation to the project so that they can determine if the country is getting the best value for money.

"It would be extremely irresponsible for us to go ahead with a plan based on the numbers of potential jobs it will create, according to the Government who seem to be pulling these figures out of the air for PR purposes," he stated.

See: Two Bidders For Metro North Contract

See: Four Companies In Dublin Metro Bid

(BMcC/GK)