Dáil debates

Thursday, 28 June 2007

5:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank Deputy Gregory for sharing his time. This is an important issue. Everybody in the Drumcondra area is in favour of and has welcomed metro north. However, they were appalled when they saw from another map circulated to them that the original route which had been distributed when the decision was taken had been changed. The RPA now says the original route was only an indicative one and that the new route which goes almost entirely under houses and which is totally different from the original one that went almost exclusively under open space is the preferred one. Naturally enough everybody in the area is more than concerned. People are also concerned about the issues raised in Marino in regard to the Dublin Port tunnel, particularly as the new route goes under so many houses. Some 660 houses will be affected.

There have already been half a dozen meetings, a couple of meetings with the Taoiseach and two to four meetings with the RPA. There has also been a meeting with the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Martin Cullen. There was a protest last week and a meeting cancelled by the RPA and there will be a protest this evening. It is a huge issue in the area and, as Deputy Gregory said, approximately 600 to 800 people have attended the meetings, one of which was attended by the Taoiseach. Can we not get back to the original route which maximises the use of open space and minimises the use of residential homes? That is what is sought. The only way we can do that is for the Minister to direct the RPA to do what it originally showed on the maps.

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