The Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says he can't give a precise year for when the Dublin Metro will begin operations.
He was speaking amid reports that the Metro North project could be pushed out to 2034.
The plan was first officially announced and financed in the 'Transport 2021' plan back in 2005.
Minister Ryan told Newstalk Breakfast he is committed to a Metro for the capital, but cannot say exactly when.
"We will deliver Metro, we can't be absolutely precise on the year because it does have to go through the planning system.
"It has to go to Government first of all, but I'm confident that we'll get it to Government and through Government and approved by Government in the coming months.
"But then it does have to go into a planning system that we've seen in the past does take time, and it's not certain.
"We do have to wait until it gets through the planning system before we know exactly how long it's going to take to build".
But he says it will be built, and he intends to do everything he can.
"Those reports that it's not coming, that's not true.
"We're going to do everything - we are actually reviewing the entire planning system at the moment to see how can we make it fairer and quicker for everyone.
"And I think that is important because... the build cost increases all the time because of the length in delays.
"But... people deserve infrastructure quickly - so we are looking at how we can improve the planning system".
Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly has described any further delay as an "absolute sucker punch" to the public.
She told Newstalk on Tuesday: "If Eamon Ryan is able to come out today an say, it’ll be 2034, shrug his shoulders when he is questioned on it and simply say, ah sure look nobody thought it was going to be delivered, I mean that is really, massively disrespectful to people who are living in Swords who have been waiting on this project now for decades," she said.
"I mean it really is an absolute sucker-punch for them."
