MINISTER FACES REVOLT LED BY KATE O’CONNELL
Eoghan Murphy clashes with arch rivals over Metro in D6 heartland
EMBATTLED Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy is facing a constituency revolt, led by his political rival Kate O’Connell, over plans for the proposed Dublin Metro to take an overland route across his political heartland.
The proposal prompted a ‘major spat’ between the duo at a meeting to discuss
the proposals with Dublin Bay South’s top politicians and representatives of 25 affected streets, according to onlookers.
As it stands the Metro plans take an underground route from Dublin Airport through most of the city, including the constituencies of Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe, before surfacing to take an overland route in Dublin Bay South.
This means a key link road at Beechwood, which the Luas currently crosses, would be cut off.
This means Dunville Avenue – where very popular upmarket grocers Mortons is situated beside the Luas station – would become a cul-de-sac for cars.
Demand is growing in the consituency for the Minister Murphy to intervene to keep the Metro entirely underground.
Tensions between Fine Gael constituency rivals Mr Murphy and Ms O’Connell appeared to have settled after the recent referendum vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
But the issue of the overground status of the proposed Metro in the millionaire redbrick terraces of Dublin Bay South has reignited strain between them.
A source who was at the meeting said: ‘You could cut the tension between the two with a knife and that was before Michael McDowell entered the room to a mini ovation. Metro could cost Fine Gael a seat here and return McDowell to the Dáil if he wanted it.’
A senior politician who was at
‘It could cost Fine Gael a seat here’
the meeting said: ‘It was a stellar performance from Kate. She called for a unified political response from everyone and then singled poor “Murph” out for a knifing saying he was the minister so he was the only one who could stop it.
‘It was sweet but lethal. Kate called for unity and then said that she was a mere TD; Eoghan was in the Cabinet. He had the power to stop it.’
The senior politician described it as ‘a high-powered top table, Eamon Ryan, McDowell, Murphy, Kevin Humphreys [Labour]. Jim O’Callaghan was bulling to miss it but Kate O’Connell dominated it’.
One onlooker at the meeting said: ‘Murphy looked dazed and confused, he wasn’t expecting this ambush at all.’
A Fine Gael figure said: ‘People are just puzzled. They know the Metro is underground from Dublin Airport… and then it surfaces like some beast from the deep to rumble through the highways and byways of our little place.
‘All the people want is for Eoghan to do what Paschal and Leo did and get the thing put underground. We just want equality with the Northside.
‘If Paschal can do it, Eoghan can do too. He is supposed to be in charge even if he can’t count houses,’ he said.
Another source said: ‘This is a dangerous one. Eoghan is Fine Gael royalty in this constituency but if he fluffs this, well, kings can be deposed.
‘The matriarchs of Dublin South are far more terrifying than People Before Profit. And Dublin Bay South being dug up for two years because Murph was asleep at the Cabinet table would not go down well. ’
The source said Ms O’Connell: ‘Was simply being factual. She made it clear she was not the minister and that the minister was the one with the power to resolve this and that obviously she would do her best to be of assistance.’
Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘This is a serious infrastructural issue for Dublin. It would cost over €400m to go underground but the cost of closing the Green Luas line if this is built overground would be even higher.’
He predicted the issue could be the catalyst for a McDowell return to politics, saying: ‘If this issue is not resolved, there is no way McDowell will be able to avoid returning to politics. He will be unable to walk away. People are getting the ladders ready already.’ Mr Humphreys also warned: ‘This line will separate parts of our constituency in a manner similar to East and West Berlin. Parents will be cut off from schools. Beware the risen Ranelagh. The public meetings are the largest I have seen for two decades.’
Speaking to the MoS Ms O’Connell said: ‘This will be the key constituency issue for this year and the next and properly so. This could be the greatest transport folly in a city with no shortage of transport follies.’
She stressed: ‘This is not about Nimbyism but logic. The current proposals could devastate traffic flow across the city. You would have to wonder how €170m or whatever could be spent on consultants to put up a proposal that is as ill-thought out as this. ‘Dublin and Dublin Bay South is a city of villages and this is a proposal that will sever communities such as Beechwood from their neighbours. ‘This is not about money or CPOs. If Beechwood is closed, it will completely change the orientation of communities.’
Commenting on the politics of her stance, Ms O’Connell said: ‘My job is to listen to the people, and the people across all areas are up in arms. I am a humble backbencher but I live in the area, I represent the area, I am rearing my children here so I have a responsibility.’
Significantly, in a move unlikely to ease Mr Murphy’s position, Ms O’Connell has pulled together a cross-party group that will meet on a fortnightly basis.
She said: ‘Politicians are going to have to work together on this issue as distinct to the usual ad hoc way of doing things.’
The group will include Jim O’Callaghan, Michael McDowell and Eamon Ryan. It is believed Mr Murphy has indicated support for the group
He said: ‘I have major concerns about the proposal as it currently stands. There is a remedy that can protect the vision for a new transport system that frees Dublin up from gridlock. But, it involves a different design solution and outcome.
‘I am actively pursuing that with my constituency colleagues and working closely with Cabinet colleagues.’
‘I’m a humble backbencher’