Two Dublin North TDs have criticised Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore over comments he made about the Metro North plan.
Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly and former Green Party leader Trevor Sargent both expressed surprise that Mr Gilmore would stall the building of the Metro North project in the current economic climate.
Mr Gilmore said yesterday 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.
Dr Reilly said Mr Gilmore had shown a "negative attitude" to the project which he sees as a "key transport and jobs initiative".
Dr Reilly said the project, work on which is expected to begin in April, would generate 37,000 jobs.
"The Labour Party's attitude shocks me," he said.
"They claim they will invest in jobs and critical infrastructure, but…Eamonn GIlmore said he would push back the Metro North project…Now is the time to invest in jobs in Dublin North."
Mr Sargent said a willingness to shelve the project raised questions about Mr Gilmore’s position on job creation.
“To state that Metro North is not a priority for any government displays a major lack of understanding about the economic importance of North Dublin as part of the North/South economic corridor and how it will contribute to the economic recovery of the country,” Mr Sargent said.
“It is abundantly clear that Labour will cause more damage to the economy by making short-termist decisions that will be counterproductive to job creation.”
The Government in July announced it would allocate some €5.7 billion for transport projects including the Metro North and Dart Underground as part of the Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2016.
The Railway Procurement Agency this week said work on the long-awaited line from St Stephen's Green to Dublin airport and north Co Dublin will begin in April.
