MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey criticised opponents of the north Dublin Metro rail project and insisted it would go ahead.

Mr Dempsey said he had been reading consistently negative comments in newspapers about the project for as long as he had been in the department and even prior to that.

“Metro north is some people’s pet hate and they continue to feed this feeling into the media,” he added.“However, the project’s situation has not changed one iota.”

Mr Dempsey said that it was one of Transport 21’s two key public projects. The two preferred tenderers were in place, he said.

“As soon as the tendering and planning processes have concluded, the cost-benefit appraisal will be carried out,” said Mr Dempsey. “Once it proves positive, which I am certain will be the case, construction will commence.”

Asked by Fine Gael spokesman Fergus O’Dowd about the impact of the current economic climate on Transport 21’s objectives, the Minister said that any contracts signed must be honoured.

“As to which projects might fall foul of the economic circumstances if they do not improve, I will decide nearer the time,” said Mr Dempsey.

He added that he intended to continue providing money for the planning of the projects and make them “shovel-ready”. Decisions would then be made in the light of the economic circumstances.