The 10-year deal for the provision of legal advice and support in the areas of competition, planning and environmental law is believed to be worth €17.5 million, The Times reports.

Seven Irish law firms and six UK firms competed for the tender in relation to the project, managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

The MetroLink project aims to fully integrate public transport in the greater Dublin area by creating a high-capacity, high-frequency rail line running from Swords to Charlemont, linking Dublin Airport, Irish Rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services.

As well as linking major transport hubs, MetroLink will connect key destinations including Ballymun, the Mater Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin.

Much of the 19-kilometre route is proposed to run underground, described as “an exciting innovation for Irish public transport”.