The long-awaited MetroLink line, which will finally connect Dublin Airport to the city by rail, has been approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, three years after planning permission was sought.

The 18.8km rail line, expected to cost more than €10 billion, was first proposed a quarter of a century ago and is anticipated to begin operations in the mid-2030s.

Travelling mostly underground, the remote-controlled, driverless trains will run every three minutes from Swords in north Dublin to Charlemont close to Ranelagh in south Dublin. The route will have 16 stops serving areas including Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Phibsborough and the city centre.

A trip from Swords to the city centre is expected to take about 25 minutes, while journeys from the airport to the city will take about 20 minutes.

But what happens if there is a judicial challenge to the planning permission? And what if “unknown, unknown” issues arise and the bill doubles as has been imagined? And when will the first passengers hop on board?

Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Andrew McNair.

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