Leo Varadkar vs David McGuinness on Dublin's transport proposals - who is correct?

[ThomasJ]

Ff counsellor david mcguinness has been fairly loud in recent times, criticising leo varadkars failure to submit any of the postphoned transport proposals to the european bank for consideration. Anyone think mcguinness is right

http://www.davidmcguinness.ie/dublin...irish-stimulus

UK Transport Secretary Justine Greening, this week, outlines Multi-Billion Investment in transport to generate ‘Jobs and Growth’Fianna Fáil Dublin West Councillor David McGuinness has expressed disappointment at the ‘laziness’ of Transport Minister Leo Varadkar not to present much needed Dublin transport projects to the European Investment Bank at a recent bi-lateral meeting between the EIB and the Irish government.

Now, leaked reports suggest a multi-billion euro stimulus plan is set to be unveiled but a parliamentary response, obtained by Timmy Dooley TD on behalf of Councillor David McGuinness, displays the lack of foresight and imagination of the Transport Minister.“In a recent PQ, Minister Varadkar acknowledged that he had forwarded none of the stalled Metro, Luas or electrification projects for consideration for funding by the EIB. This despite the EIB co-funding many such projects in places such as Paris, Warsaw, Prague, Montpellier, London (Crossrail), Nottingham and more.

This is a slap in the face to commuting Dubliners who have seen their fares increase and four out of five major Dublin Rail projects cancelled over the lifetime of this government,” outlined McGuinness.“What makes this an even more embarrassing slip up for the minister is that his counterpart in the United Kingdom, Transport Secretary Justine Greening, has this week announced a multi-billion euro stimulus plan on the UK-rail system in a bid to generate ‘growth and jobs’.

The very type of projects that are being prioritised in the UK are specifically the ones being ignored here in Ireland such as the electrification of train lines, such as the Maynooth Line, and increased rail connectivity like bringing Metro North, Metro West and completion of LUAS to Fruition,” added McGuinness“The European Investment Bank has an excellent track record in delivering rail projects throughout the European Union which directly leads to job creation, improved services for the public and growth in domestic economies. It is such a pity that Ireland does not have a Transport minister who will fight his corner and put Transport at the forefront of Ireland’s economic recovery,” concluded McGuinness.ENDS