Leo Varadkar has objected to the routing of the Royal Canal Greenway through his constituency that would close down a park where he used to play as a child.
The Fine Gael Taoiseach made his objection to Fingal County Council in July 2021 on official headed paper showing his title at the time, Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister.
The chosen route of the massive Greenway, that will eventually connect Dublin and Galway, passes through Mr Varadkar’s constituency on the northern bank of the canal by Castleknock.
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The Taoiseach is supporting some of his constituents on this issue and is calling for it to be built on the south bank instead, which would take it away from the back gardens of his old neighbours.
Mr Varadkar’s mother, Miriam, and sister, Sonia, also made submissions to the council expressing their objections to the plans that would affect their residential amenities.
Local Fianna Fáil TD and Minister, Jack Chambers, also made a submission to the consultation process and called for a different route to be chosen as well.
A third minister, the Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman, is also a TD for the constituency, but he is in favour of the environmentally-friendly project’s routing through Castleknock as planned.
Mr Varadkar said in his submission: “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.”
He continued: “My strong preference is that it be constructed on the southern bank along the existing towpath along the railway line.
“This was the original plan and will have the least impact on adjoining properties and residential areas.
“I am unconvinced by the arguments against this option.”
The Taoiseach’s mother, Miriam Varadkar, revealed in her own submission that Leo used to play in a park that will be affected by the Greenway’s construction if it runs along the north bank of the canal.
She said: “If the north side is to be used the green at Brompton where my kids played would be lost and this is the only green space where children can play with no main road access.”
A spokesman for Leo Varadkar told the Irish Mirror last night: “The Taoiseach initiated the Royal Canal Greenway as Minister for Transport, including the plans to extend it all the way from Dublin to Galway, so he has been a fervent supporter of the project from the start.
“In 2021 he again expressed support for the project but made a submission to run a section in Dublin West known as the ‘deep sinking’ along the southern bank instead of the northern bank.”
A spokesman for Jack Chambers said: “Minister Chambers continues to support the development of the Royal Canal Greenway.
“In 2021, following engagement with local residents, he reflected their feedback as part of the public consultation on the proposed route selection process.
“It remains his view that this local feedback can be addressed as the project is designed and advanced.”
Mr O’Gorman said in his submission: “Throughout the public consultation process, the question of whether the Greenway should run on the North or South Bank of the Canal between Coolmine and Castleknock stations has been one of the most controversial.
“Having examined the Preferred Route that is currently being proposed by Fingal County Council in detail, we believe that siting the route on the North Bank is supported by the studies and material that have been provided.”
A spokesman for Fingal County Council told the Mirror that the route will go ahead on the north side of the canal bank despite the objections of the 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.
“The proposed route will be along the northern back of the Deep Sinking as outlined in the previous round of public consultation in 2021.
“This proposal is supported by extensive ground investigations, engineering assessment and analysis, which have been published and are available on the Fingal County Council consultation portal.”
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