One rule for them another for us: Leo Varadkar and his mother object to Greenway route near park where he played as a kid – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

One rule for them another for us: Leo Varadkar and his mother object to Greenway route near park where he played as a kid




Leo Varadkar has opposed a Royal Canal Greenway route through his constituency that would close a park where he used to play as a child.

The Fine Gael Taoiseach voiced his objection in July 2021 on official letterhead to Fingal County Council, bearing the title, at the time, Minister for Tánaiste and Enterprise.

The chosen route of the massive greenway, which will eventually link Dublin and Galway, passes through the Varadkar constituency on the northern side of the canal at Castleknock, reports The Mirror.

The Taoiseach sidesteps some of his constituents on the issue and calls for it to be built on the south coast instead, which would move it away from the back gardens of its older neighbours.

Mr Varadkar’s mother, Maryam, and sister, Sonia, also expressed their objections to the plans that would affect their residential services before the board.

The local Fianna Fáil TD and minister, Jack Chambers, also came to the consultation process and asked to choose a different path.

A third minister, Roderick O’Gorman of the Green Party, is also a TD for the constituency, but is in favor of the Green Project route through Castleknock as planned.

Mr Varadkar said in his presentation, “I welcome the opportunity to make a submission on this matter, I do so as a local resident and a public representative for the area,” reports The Mirror.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council told the Mirror that the route would continue on the north side of the canal bank, despite objections from senior government politicians.

He said: “‘Fingal County Council is currently preparing a planning application to An Bord Pleanála which involves the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and other associated documentation. Consultation with stakeholders including Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail and discussions on land acquisition with relevant third-party landowners is also ongoing. It is expected that a planning application to An Bord Pleanála will be submitted in 2023, subject to progression of the necessary planning documentation as well as the required public spending code approvals,” reports The Mirror.

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