Ranelagh residents whose objections to the MetroLink will delay the project should think of the “common good” and reconsider, Ciara Kelly has urged. 

Last month, An Coimisiún Pleanála granted planning permission for the €10 billion rail line that will link Swords in North County Dublin and Charlemont on the Southside via the airport and city centre. 

However, a number of Ranelagh residents, who live close to the proposed Charlemont station, have lodged an objection to the project in the High Court. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland responded that the court action means an "inevitable delay" to the project. 

 On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Ciara Kelly urged them to reconsider their opposition. 

“We have talked endlessly for the last number of months about the need to deliver infrastructure in this country,” she said. 

“We know that the longer we delay infrastructure projects, the more expensive they become. 

“For example, the famous waste water plant in North County Dublin that is still delayed? It has doubled in cost in seven years. It’s now €1.3 billion. 

“So, the longer you delay, the more the exchequer pays for these things. 

“But also, we know we need these things. 

“I understand that people have a right to do whatever they want in terms of objecting and judicial reviews. 

“But we seem to have lost the concept of the common good.” 

An artist's impression of Glasnevin MetroLink station. Picture by: MetroLink. 

Ciara added that she feels Ireland’s legal system “does not serve the people the way it should”. 

“What I mean by that is, I’m not saying there aren’t good people in the legal system, but it is so grindingly slow that it might as well barely exist,” she complained. 

“We can’t deliver things because of our legal system and the way this whole system is designed.

“As I say, the common good is being thwarted repeatedly because of these things.” 

Fellow presenter Shane Coleman said there was a “collective groan” across the nation when they heard news of the objection. 

“Why does it have to take a year or longer for this to happen?” he said. 

“Why can’t there be a special sitting of the High Court next week on this to make a ruling? 

“Why does it have to take so long? And that’s something that has to happen. 

“I’m not entirely convinced about the merits of the MetroLink project and how much it’s going to cost. 

“But if we’re going to do it, let’s get on with it.

“I’m sorry but we can’t have a small number of residents delaying such a major national infrastructure project.”

Main image: A spilt of Ciara Kelly and an artist's vision of the MetroLink. Pictures by: Newstalk and MetroLink.