New Transport Minister - DART Interconnector

Jack Funk · 10-03-2011, 08:20

I see that Leo Varadkar is new Minister for Transport, Just wondering how much of an impact will this guy have? He's young fresh, maybe new ideas?
Will he take on the unions overvalued drivers and underused Permanent way staff?
Will the DART interconnector---so badly needed-- go ahead under his watch or will we have more Western Rail Corridors going unused--- see another Thread on the forum about that!
There already is a load of hassle at the public consultation meetings irate public giving out about noise from North Wall yards because of works down there( didn't think anything had started? Mobilisation works?/ ground clearing what?)
He's got a lot on his plate!

ThomasJ · 10-03-2011, 11:22

Hopefully its good news for the maynooth line with varadkar as transport minister.

Also interesting that varadkars area streches out as far as the airport and swords.

ACustomer · 10-03-2011, 11:41

As Transport minister, Leo Varadker has national responsibilities, and while I think that development of the Maynooth and Dunboyne routes is important, I don't want to see national policies subverted by local constituency interests. Just think of the way Gormley subverted national policy on incineration to the interests of locals in Sandymount.

ColmmacO · 10-03-2011, 13:48

I made a post on the program for government in the Election forum.
Basically, there is not one mention of the words 'Rail', 'Metro' or 'DART' in the document. Definately handy for Dublin West people to have Leo as minister for transport (look what dempsey did for the Pace line) but I would think we will see a large focus on bus transport in the coming years.
I hope I am wrong though!

Mark Gleeson · 10-03-2011, 15:49

Actually this is who has the brief

Public and Commuter Transport – Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - Alan Kelly

dowlingm · 12-03-2011, 03:30

According to Barry Desmond it may depend on how much Varadkar lets Kelly have. I was wondering how Maynooth electrification snuck into FG's manifesto - perhaps I have my answer. That said I don't know much about FG - I thought their Sean Barrett and the TCD economist with the notable views on rail were one and the same!

jacko · 13-03-2011, 17:28

have heard good things about Kelly - very smart and capable - made a minister on his first week in Dail

comcor · 14-03-2011, 11:57

I certainly don't think anyone should worry unduly about a TD from a rural constituency having the role.

Prior to becoming a full-time politician in 2007, Kelly spent more than a decade living in Cork. Also, his 2 years as an MEP will have opened him up to the kind of transport systems in place in cities on the European mainland.

I daresay having him in place will be no harm for the Limerick-Ballybrophy line, but he should quickly get to grips with the broader transport issues affecting urban areas.

10-03-2011, 08:20	#1
Jack Funk New to the board Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 10	New Transport Minister - DART Interconnector I see that Leo Varadkar is new Minister for Transport, Just wondering how much of an impact will this guy have? He's young fresh, maybe new ideas? Will he take on the unions overvalued drivers and underused Permanent way staff? Will the DART interconnector---so badly needed-- go ahead under his watch or will we have more Western Rail Corridors going unused--- see another Thread on the forum about that! There already is a load of hassle at the public consultation meetings irate public giving out about noise from North Wall yards because of works down there( didn't think anything had started? Mobilisation works?/ ground clearing what?) He's got a lot on his plate!

10-03-2011, 15:49	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Actually this is who has the brief Public and Commuter Transport – Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - Alan Kelly __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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10-03-2011, 11:22	#2
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Hopefully its good news for the maynooth line with varadkar as transport minister. Also interesting that varadkars area streches out as far as the airport and swords.

10-03-2011, 11:41	#3
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	As Transport minister, Leo Varadker has national responsibilities, and while I think that development of the Maynooth and Dunboyne routes is important, I don't want to see national policies subverted by local constituency interests. Just think of the way Gormley subverted national policy on incineration to the interests of locals in Sandymount.

10-03-2011, 13:48	#4
ColmmacO Regular Poster Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Coolmine Posts: 167	I made a post on the program for government in the Election forum. Basically, there is not one mention of the words 'Rail', 'Metro' or 'DART' in the document. Definately handy for Dublin West people to have Leo as minister for transport (look what dempsey did for the Pace line) but I would think we will see a large focus on bus transport in the coming years. I hope I am wrong though!

12-03-2011, 03:30	#6
dowlingm Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,371	According to Barry Desmond it may depend on how much Varadkar lets Kelly have. I was wondering how Maynooth electrification snuck into FG's manifesto - perhaps I have my answer. That said I don't know much about FG - I thought their Sean Barrett and the TCD economist with the notable views on rail were one and the same!

13-03-2011, 17:28	#7
jacko Regular Poster Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 137	have heard good things about Kelly - very smart and capable - made a minister on his first week in Dail

14-03-2011, 11:57	#8
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	I certainly don't think anyone should worry unduly about a TD from a rural constituency having the role. Prior to becoming a full-time politician in 2007, Kelly spent more than a decade living in Cork. Also, his 2 years as an MEP will have opened him up to the kind of transport systems in place in cities on the European mainland. I daresay having him in place will be no harm for the Limerick-Ballybrophy line, but he should quickly get to grips with the broader transport issues affecting urban areas.