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143-520: MetroLink is a proposed metro line for the city of Dublin . It replaces an earlier proposal called Metro North which was first recommended in the then Irish Government's 2005 Transport 21 transport plan. The line is proposed to run from Estuary on Dublin's northside to Charlemont on the south of the city, with stops including Dublin Airport , O'Connell Street and St. Stephen's Green . The proposed route consists of mainly uncovered sub-surface track in

286-565: A non-consultant hospital doctor in St. James's Hospital and Connolly Hospital , before specialising as a general practitioner in 2010. Varadkar was twenty years old and a second-year medical student when he unsuccessfully contested the 1999 local elections in the Mulhuddart local electoral area. Varadkar was co-opted to Fingal County Council in 2003, for the Castleknock local electoral area, as

429-459: A 53% approval rating, the highest for any Taoiseach since 2011, and showed Fine Gael with an eleven-point lead over Fianna Fáil. Government satisfaction was also at 41%, the highest in almost 10 years. Irish Times columnist Pat Leahy claimed Varadkar had ended 2017 "on a high" and IrishCentral called it the Taoiseach's "finest hour". In January 2018, his opinion poll approval ratings reached 60%,

572-422: A Fine Gael–Sinn Féin coalition during the election campaign, though a "grand coalition" of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael was floated as a final possibility. However, on 12 February, Varadkar conceded that Fine Gael had lost the election and that he was very likely to become the next Opposition Leader . Varadkar added that Fine Gael was "willing to step back" to allow Sinn Féin, as the winner of the popular vote, to have

715-425: A body of water), which are potential congestion sites but also offer an opportunity for transfers between lines. Ring lines provide good coverage, connect between the radial lines and serve tangential trips that would otherwise need to cross the typically congested core of the network. A rough grid pattern can offer a wide variety of routes while still maintaining reasonable speed and frequency of service. A study of

858-450: A code for its stations. Unlike that of Singapore's MRT, it is mostly numbers. Based on the line number, for example Sinyongsan station, is coded as station 429. Being on Line 4, the first number of the station code is 4. The last two numbers are the station number on that line. Interchange stations can have multiple codes. Like City Hall station in Seoul which is served by Line 1 and Line 2. It has

1001-646: A code of 132 and 201 respectively. The Line 2 is a circle line and the first stop is City Hall, therefore, City Hall has the station code of 201. For lines without a number like Bundang line it will have an alphanumeric code. Lines without a number that are operated by KORAIL will start with the letter 'K'. With widespread use of the Internet and cell phones globally, transit operators now use these technologies to present information to their users. In addition to online maps and timetables, some transit operators now offer real-time information which allows passengers to know when

1144-565: A conventional track is often provided in case of flat tires and for switching . There are also some rubber-tired systems that use a central guide rail , such as the Sapporo Municipal Subway and the NeoVal system in Rennes , France. Advocates of this system note that it is much quieter than conventional steel-wheeled trains, and allows for greater inclines given the increased traction of

1287-405: A dedicated right-of-way are typically used only outside dense areas, since they create a physical barrier in the urban fabric that hinders the flow of people and vehicles across their path and have a larger physical footprint. This method of construction is the cheapest as long as land values are low. It is often used for new systems in areas that are planned to fill up with buildings after the line

1430-525: A draft contract between the Health Service Executive and general practitioners that was agreed but still subject to acceptance by GPs at the time, and officially unavailable to members of the Oireachtas. The article included screenshots of WhatsApp messages, including one with a photo of the cover of the leaked document, and alleged the handwriting visible was Varadkar's. While Village claimed

1573-435: A historic figure he admired, crediting Bismarck as a conservative who was able to enact social reforms. In 2021 Varadkar gave a dedicated lecture on Noël Browne to students of Trinity College Dublin , in which he summarised Browne's career. Varadkar noted Browne's cantankerous reputation but generally praised Browne, with Varadkar stating that he always "admired his idealism, his passion, and his determination to stand up for

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1716-418: A large number of factors, including geographical barriers, existing or expected travel patterns, construction costs, politics, and historical constraints. A transit system is expected to serve an area of land with a set of lines , which consist of shapes summarized as "I", "L", "U", "S", and "O" shapes or loops. Geographical barriers may cause chokepoints where transit lines must converge (for example, to cross

1859-629: A large part of the network, for example, in outer suburbs, runs at ground level. In most of Britain , a subway is a pedestrian underpass . The terms Underground and Tube are used for the London Underground . The North East England Tyne and Wear Metro , mostly overground, is known as the Metro . In Scotland , the Glasgow Subway underground rapid transit system is known as the Subway . In Ireland ,

2002-452: A line is obtained by multiplying the car capacity, the train length, and the service frequency . Heavy rapid transit trains might have six to twelve cars, while lighter systems may use four or fewer. Cars have a capacity of 100 to 150 passengers, varying with the seated to standing ratio  – more standing gives higher capacity. The minimum time interval between trains is shorter for rapid transit than for mainline railways owing to

2145-602: A metro. In Spain, such systems are present in Madrid , Barcelona , Bilbao and Valencia . In Portugal, Lisbon has a metro. The Italian cities of Catania , Genoa , Milan , Naples , Rome and Turin also have metro lines. In Germany and Austria they rapid transit is known as U-Bahn , which are often supported by S-Bahn systems. In Germany, U-Bahn systems exist in Berlin , Hamburg , Munich and Nuremberg , while in Austria such

2288-459: A mother from Dungarvan , County Waterford. He studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin and worked as a non-consultant hospital doctor and general practitioner . A member of Fine Gael since his teenage years, he ran unsuccessfully in the 1999 local elections but was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in 2003. He was elected to the council in the 2004 local elections , attaining the highest number of first-preference votes of any candidate in

2431-729: A planned Saint Patrick's Day (17 March) meeting with the American president Joe Biden , who has been the target of fierce criticism in Ireland over his stance on the Gaza war; Varadkar noted "differences of opinions [between the U.S. and Ireland] in relation to Israel and Gaza". In a 2010 interview, Varadkar stated that while he did not consider homosexuality morally wrong, he opposed same-sex marriage, although he supported civil partnerships . However, following his public acknowledgement in January 2015 that he

2574-456: A range of other ministerial positions during his time in government. Described as centre-right economically, he advocated free markets , lower taxes, and welfare reform . On social issues, he supported successful constitutional referendums to legalise same-sex marriage and to liberalise Ireland's abortion laws . Born in Dublin , Varadkar is multiracial , with a father from Mumbai , India, and

2717-460: A rapid transit setting. Leo Varadkar Leo Eric Varadkar ( / v ə ˈ r æ d k ər / və- RAD -kər ; born 18 January 1979) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and from 2022 to 2024, as Tánaiste from 2020 to 2022, and as leader of Fine Gael from 2017 to 2024. A TD for the Dublin West constituency from 2007 to 2024, he held

2860-452: A rebuke to a government and in the eyes of many, personally to Varadkar. On 20 March 2024, Varadkar announced his intention to step down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, saying that he was no longer "the best person for the job". He said his "reasons for stepping down are both personal and political". He said that his resignation as Fine Gael leader would be with immediate effect, and that he would continue in office as Taoiseach pending

3003-458: A replacement for Sheila Terry . At the 2004 local elections , he received the highest first-preference vote in the country with 4,894 votes and was elected on the first count. Varadkar was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election as a Fine Gael TD for the Dublin West constituency. After the 2007 general election, then Leader of the Opposition , Enda Kenny , appointed him to

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3146-473: A result of the Garda whistleblower scandal and Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Frances Fitzgerald 's role in it. Fianna Fáil , the main opposition party, who were in a confidence-and-supply agreement with Fine Gael, threatened a motion of no confidence in the government. After days of gridlock, the crisis was averted, after Fitzgerald resigned from the cabinet to prevent triggering an election that could jeopardise

3289-621: A review by Leo Varadkar , then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport , as money to construct the new railway would not be available in the foreseeable future. Two potential routes for Metro West had been published by the Railway Procurement Agency in January 2007. Following discussions and a public consultation process, a preferred route was announced in July 2007. This route started at Tallaght, running through Belgard, Clondalkin, Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown. Stops were also proposed for

3432-463: A second phase at a later date after Metrolink from Swords to Charlemont was operational. By developing in two phases the closure of the Green Line could be reduced and more time given to upgrading the existing pedestrian crossings to be fully grade separated through the use of underpasses. Before this opposition, a railway order was due to be sought for MetroLink in the third quarter of 2019. As of 2018,

3575-558: A specialized transit police may be established. These security measures are normally integrated with measures to protect revenue by checking that passengers are not travelling without paying. Some subway systems, such as the Beijing Subway , which is ranked by Worldwide Rapid Transit Data as the "World's Safest Rapid Transit Network" in 2015, incorporates airport-style security checkpoints at every station. Rapid transit systems have been subject to terrorism with many casualties, such as

3718-488: A spur off the Swords-Shanganagh line at Finglas and then continue via Blanchardstown and Clondalkin to Tallaght, where it would connect with the other line. Dublin Airport carried over 21 million passengers in 2006. This figure was projected to grow rapidly (as it did to 27.9 million by 2016). As a result, Transport Infrastructure Ireland identified a medium-capacity public-transport link to Dublin Airport as one of

3861-408: A surprise, as Varadkar was not known as a sports lover. He said that while he knew "a lot of facts ... I don't play the sports." In May 2011, Varadkar suggested Ireland was "very unlikely" to resume borrowing in 2012 and might need a second bailout , causing jitters on international markets about Ireland's credibility. Many of his cabinet colleagues frowned on Varadkar's forthrightness, as did

4004-592: A system exists in Vienna . In addition, the small, car-free town of Serfaus in the Austrian state of Tyrol also features a short U-Bahn line. There are no U-Bahn systems in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, but the city of Lausanne has its own, small metro system. In Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, a project for a U-Bahn network was stopped by a referendum in the 1970s and instead its S-Bahn system

4147-445: A ten-year high for any Taoiseach. In January 2018, he announced that the referendum to repeal Ireland's 8th Amendment which prevented any liberalisation of restrictive abortion laws would take place in May. If passed, it would allow the government to introduce new legislation. It was proposed that women would be allowed unrestricted access to abortion up until 12 weeks, with exceptions if

4290-770: Is a shortened reference to a metropolitan area . Rapid transit systems such as the Washington Metrorail , Los Angeles Metro Rail , the Miami Metrorail , and the Montreal Metro are generally called the Metro . In Philadelphia , the term "El" is used for the Market–Frankford Line which runs mostly on an elevated track, while the term "subway" applies to the Broad Street Line which is almost entirely underground. Chicago 's commuter rail system that serves

4433-608: Is a single corporate image for the entire transit authority, but the rapid transit uses its own logo that fits into the profile. A transit map is a topological map or schematic diagram used to show the routes and stations in a public transport system. The main components are color-coded lines to indicate each line or service, with named icons to indicate stations. Maps may show only rapid transit or also include other modes of public transport. Transit maps can be found in transit vehicles, on platforms , elsewhere in stations, and in printed timetables . Maps help users understand

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4576-506: Is built. Most rapid transit trains are electric multiple units with lengths from three to over ten cars. Crew sizes have decreased throughout history, with some modern systems now running completely unstaffed trains. Other trains continue to have drivers, even if their only role in normal operation is to open and close the doors of the trains at stations. Power is commonly delivered by a third rail or by overhead wires . The whole London Underground network uses fourth rail and others use

4719-416: Is necessary, rolling stock with a smaller loading gauge from one sub network may be transported along other lines that use larger trains. On some networks such operations are part of normal services. Most rapid transit systems use conventional standard gauge railway track . Since tracks in subway tunnels are not exposed to rain , snow , or other forms of precipitation , they are often fixed directly to

4862-511: Is operational. As of 2016, it remained part of the transport strategy to upgrade the Green Line to be capable of running metro services, extending the metro to Sandyford and eventually to Bride's Glen. In 2020, it was reported that the NTA was assessing additional potential metro provision; with a southwest line serving Terenure , Rathfarnham and Knocklyon , or a southeastern line serving University College Dublin . Metro West (Irish: Meitreo Thiar )

5005-548: Is referred to simply as "the subway", despite 40% of the system running above ground. The term "L" or "El" is not used for elevated lines in general as the lines in the system are already designated with letters and numbers. The "L" train or L (New York City Subway service) refers specifically to the 14th Street–Canarsie Local line, and not other elevated trains. Similarly, the Toronto Subway is referred to as "the subway", with some of its system also running above ground. These are

5148-412: Is serviced by at least one specific route with trains stopping at all or some of the line's stations. Most systems operate several routes, and distinguish them by colors, names, numbering, or a combination thereof. Some lines may share track with each other for a portion of their route or operate solely on their own right-of-way. Often a line running through the city center forks into two or more branches in

5291-522: Is that before you can distribute wealth you have to create it. So the first thing that you need to do is set up an environment in which wealth can be created, and then it's the role of the government to distribute it reasonably equitably." In 2017, the Guardian stated that "Varadkar's centre-right politics are clearly conservative". In 2022, the political magazine the Phoenix suggested that in 2010 Varadkar

5434-733: Is the most commonly used term for underground rapid transit systems used by non-native English speakers. Rapid transit systems may be named after the medium by which passengers travel in busy central business districts ; the use of tunnels inspires names such as subway , underground , Untergrundbahn ( U-Bahn ) in German, or the Tunnelbana (T-bana) in Swedish. The use of viaducts inspires names such as elevated ( L or el ), skytrain , overhead , overground or Hochbahn in German. One of these terms may apply to an entire system, even if

5577-510: The Irish Examiner described Varadkar as "conservative" while that same year the Irish magazine Hot Press described his policy positions as "radical right", although in the same article, he described himself as "centre-right", which he defined as "to be somebody who is right of centre is somebody who has broadly liberal-conservative / Christian-democrat ideals, and the basic principles of that

5720-605: The Dublin Area Rapid Transit is despite the name considered a commuter rail due to usage of mainline railways. In France, large cities, such as Paris , Marseille and Lyon , feature a Métro . Also the smaller cities of Lille Rennes have a light metro. Furthermore, Brussels in Belgium, and Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands have metro systems in place. Several Southern European contries also have

5863-749: The European Central Bank . Taoiseach Enda Kenny repeated the line of the Government of Ireland , that the State would not require a further bailout from the European Union or the International Monetary Fund, and said he had warned all ministers against publicly disparaging the economy. Varadkar said that reaction to the story was hyped up but that he was not misquoted. The Evening Herald repeatedly described Varadkar as gaffe prone. In

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6006-724: The Hudson and Manhattan Railroad K-series cars from 1958, the New York City Subway R38 and R42 cars from the late-1960s, and the Nagoya Municipal Subway 3000 series , Osaka Municipal Subway 10 series and MTR M-Train EMUs from the 1970s, were generally only made possible largely due to the relatively generous loading gauges of these systems and also adequate open-air sections to dissipate hot air from these air conditioning units. Especially in some rapid transit systems such as

6149-429: The London Underground . In 1868, New York opened the elevated West Side and Yonkers Patent Railway , initially a cable-hauled line using stationary steam engines . As of 2021 , China has the largest number of rapid transit systems in the world  – 40 in number, running on over 4,500 km (2,800 mi) of track – and was responsible for most of the world's rapid-transit expansion in

6292-722: The Metropolitan Railway opened publicly in London in 1863. High capacity monorails with larger and longer trains can be classified as rapid transit systems. Such monorail systems recently started operating in Chongqing and São Paulo . Light metro is a subclass of rapid transit that has the speed and grade separation of a "full metro" but is designed for smaller passenger numbers. It often has smaller loading gauges, lighter train cars and smaller consists of typically two to four cars. Light metros are typically used as feeder lines into

6435-578: The Montreal Metro (opened 1966) and Sapporo Municipal Subway (opened 1971), their entirely enclosed nature due to their use of rubber-tyred technology to cope with heavy snowfall experienced by both cities in winter precludes any air-conditioning retrofits of rolling stock due to the risk of heating the tunnels to temperatures that would be too hot for passengers and for train operations. In many cities, metro networks consist of lines operating different sizes and types of vehicles. Although these sub-networks may not often be connected by track, in cases when it

6578-642: The National Transport Authority 's "Transport Strategy For The Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035". As of 2018, Metro West was not due to be considered for government funding until after 2035. Rapid transit Modern services on rapid transit systems are provided on designated lines between stations typically using electric multiple units on railway tracks . Some systems use guided rubber tires , magnetic levitation ( maglev ), or monorail . The stations typically have high platforms, without steps inside

6721-577: The Prague Metro . The London Underground and Paris Métro are densely built systems with a matrix of crisscrossing lines throughout the cities. The Chicago 'L' has most of its lines converging on The Loop , the main business, financial, and cultural area. Some systems have a circular line around the city center connecting to radially arranged outward lines, such as the Moscow Metro 's Koltsevaya Line and Beijing Subway 's Line 10 . The capacity of

6864-656: The Singapore MRT , Changi Airport MRT station has the alphanumeric code CG2, indicating its position as the 2nd station on the Changi Airport branch of the East West Line. Interchange stations have at least two codes, for example, Raffles Place MRT station has two codes, NS26 and EW14, the 26th station on the North South Line and the 14th station on the East West Line. The Seoul Metro is another example that utilizes

7007-557: The Swords area, a tunnel under Dublin Airport, further uncovered sub-surface track until the M50 , with a deep bore tunnel running from Northwood to Charlemont. While, as of March 2018, the line was planned to begin operation in 2027, as of September 2021, government representatives indicated that this target "was never likely to be achievable" with several reports indicating that the project would "not be completed until at least 2032". As of July 2022,

7150-872: The Youth of the European People's Party , the youth wing of the European People's Party , of which Fine Gael is a member. Varadkar was selected for the Washington-Ireland Program , a half-year personal and professional development program in Washington, D.C., for students from Ireland. While there, he interned for the US House of Representatives . Varadkar graduated in 2003, after completing his internship at KEM Hospital in Mumbai. He then spent several years working as

7293-450: The deep tube lines . Historically, rapid transit trains used ceiling fans and openable windows to provide fresh air and piston-effect wind cooling to riders. From the 1950s to the 1990s (and in most of Europe until the 2000s), many rapid transit trains from that era were also fitted with forced-air ventilation systems in carriage ceiling units for passenger comfort. Early rapid transit rolling stock fitted with air conditioning , such as

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7436-401: The front bench as spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade and Employment until a 2010 reshuffle, when he became spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources . It was also during 2010 that Varadkar was reported to be a supporter of an attempt to oust Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael and replace him with Richard Bruton . The heave was not successful, but in the aftermath, Varadkar

7579-409: The linear motor for propulsion. Some urban rail lines are built to a loading gauge as large as that of main-line railways ; others are built to a smaller one and have tunnels that restrict the size and sometimes the shape of the train compartments. One example is most of the London Underground , which has acquired the informal term "tube train" due to the cylindrical shape of the trains used on

7722-623: The next general election , and would retire from politics. After becoming a Teachta Dála in 2007, Varadkar developed a reputation in the late 2000s and early 2010s as somewhat of an outspoken maverick. Just one week into his role as a TD, Varadkar branded sitting Taoiseach Bertie Ahern "cunning and devious" in the Dáil. In 2011, he upset a number of his own party colleagues when he negatively compared embattled Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Brian Cowen to former Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald . By 2012, Varadkar's tendency to make "off

7865-432: The 15 world largest subway systems suggested a universal shape composed of a dense core with branches radiating from it. Rapid transit operators have often built up strong brands , often focused on easy recognition – to allow quick identification even in the vast array of signage found in large cities – combined with the desire to communicate speed, safety, and authority. In many cities, there

8008-480: The 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack and the 2005 " 7/7 " terrorist bombings on the London Underground. Some rapid transport trains have extra features such as wall sockets, cellular reception, typically using a leaky feeder in tunnels and DAS antennas in stations, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity. The first metro system in the world to enable full mobile phone reception in underground stations and tunnels

8151-598: The 2010s. The world's longest single-operator rapid transit system by route length is the Shanghai Metro . The world's largest single rapid transit service provider by number of stations (472 stations in total) is the New York City Subway . The busiest rapid transit systems in the world by annual ridership are the Shanghai Metro, Tokyo subway system , Seoul Metro and the Moscow Metro . The term Metro

8294-554: The 2027 target would not be met and "was never likely to be achievable", with some reports projecting that construction would not commence before 2027. While included in the "National Development Plan 2021-2030", the plan included "no completion dates" for the proposed project. On 22 March 2018, the National Transport Authority announced revised proposals for the former Metro North railway line, now called 'MetroLink'. The new proposal incorporated considerable changes from

8437-528: The 21st century, most new expansions and systems are located in Asia, with China becoming the world's leader in metro expansion, operating some of the largest and busiest systems while possessing almost 60 cities that are operating, constructing or planning a rapid transit system . Rapid transit is used for local transport in cities , agglomerations , and metropolitan areas to transport large numbers of people often short distances at high frequency . The extent of

8580-609: The Amazon rainforest as it expands market access to Brazilian beef. On 14 January 2020, Varadkar sought a dissolution of the 32nd Dáil , which was granted by President Michael D. Higgins , and scheduled a general election for 8 February. In that election, Varadkar was re-elected in the Dublin West constituency, but Fine Gael fell to 35 seats, 15 fewer than in 2016 , and falling to third place behind Fianna Fáil (38 seats) and Sinn Féin (37 seats). Varadkar ruled out any possibility of

8723-517: The Constitution of Ireland . The Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 proposed to revise the definition of family to include durable relationships outside marriage. The Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 proposed to remove references to a woman's "life within the home" and "duties in the home" and add a new article on care within the family. Voters overwhelmingly rejected both proposed amendments, delivering

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8866-671: The Dáil for "errors of judgement" in sharing a copy of the contract, and rejected any suggestion that he had anything to gain personally from giving the IMO document to the NAGP president as "false and deeply offensive". The leak was the subject of a criminal investigation. In April 2022, a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review. On 6 July 2022, the DPP decided that Varadkar would not face prosecution. On 17 December 2022, Varadkar

9009-445: The Dáil that the cuts were "necessary as the funding could be better used elsewhere." On 6 May 2016, after government formation talks had concluded, Taoiseach Enda Kenny appointed Varadkar as Minister for Social Protection . During his time in the ministry, he launched a controversial campaign against welfare fraud called "Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All. It was labelled a "hate campaign" by a former social welfare inspector, who claimed

9152-631: The Greater Dublin Area 2016–2035, it was proposed that the Metro North tunnel should be extended southwards to meet the Luas Green line in the Ranelagh area. The Luas Green line would be converted to a metro line, with Luas services on the line ending and being replaced by metro services. In March 2019, the revised plans were released with the intention to upgrade the Green Line after the northern section

9295-507: The Green Party voted 76% in favour of the programme. Clare Bailey , the leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland – a branch of the Irish Green Party – publicly rejected the idea of the Greens being part of the coalition deal with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. She said the coalition deal proposed the "most fiscally conservative arrangements in a generation". The coalition deal allowed for a government to be formed on 27 June, with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin taking over as Taoiseach . He

9438-449: The Green party who object in particular to a proposed "investment court" system. Critics of the agreement fear the investment court could be used to strike down environmentalist laws. In October 2023, he condemned the attack on Israel by Hamas , saying, "The [Irish] government condemns it unreservedly, there can be no excuse for targeting women, children, taking children and women, civilians as hostage". Varadkar also urged "restraint" from

9581-420: The Irish position in Brexit negotiations . Shortly after this, Varadkar appointed former leadership rival and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney as Tánaiste, Heather Humphreys as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Josepha Madigan as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht , in a small reshuffle of the cabinet. Shortly after the Fitzgerald crisis, an impasse

9724-476: The Israeli government, saying that "the free world is standing in solidarity with Israel", but that could change if the Israeli response "results in unnecessary civilian deaths in Gaza". Varadkar later criticised Israel 's blockade of the Gaza Strip and what he called the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza. In November, he commented on the release of 8-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen Emily Hand, who had been kidnapped by Hamas, saying, "An innocent child who

9867-408: The National Aquatic Centre and Abbotstown, before continuing in the direction of Sillogue and Harristown. Following Harristown it would link with the proposed Metro North line, for a combined length of 25 km. Metro West plans, published in 2007, proposed lines which would run overground, with some tunnels and bridges to avoid major road junctions. In addition to the proposed link with Metro North,

10010-417: The RPA announced in October 2006 that they had selected a routing known as the 'East/Central Combined Route'. that ran through Ballymun. A slightly updated route, with changes in proposed station names, some modifications to station locations, and details of proposed overground and underground routes through Swords was released by the RPA in March 2008. On 22 March 2007, Transport Infrastructure Ireland began

10153-497: The RPA chose their preferred route for Metro West, including indicative stops, depot and Park and Ride locations. The preferred route for Metro West ran from Tallaght to Metro North at Dardistown, via Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown. The planned route would interchange with (from south to north) the Luas Red Line, Kildare Railway Line , Luas Line F (to Lucan), Maynooth Railway Line and Metro North Line, as well as local bus services. By 2016, Metro West had been excluded from

10296-583: The Railway Order was intended to be submitted in the first half of 2021 but actual submission occurred in September 2022. As of April 2023, a number of bodies (including Irish Rail, Dublin Airport, Abbey Theatre and Mater Hospital ) raised concerns about aspects of the proposals outlined in the planning application. If opened as planned, MetroLink is due to operate a single line between Charlemont and Swords. All services are proposed to operate from Charlemont to

10439-707: The United Kingdom in the 1960s, to work as a doctor. His mother, born in Dungarvan , County Waterford, met her future husband while working as a nurse in Slough . Early in 1971, they married in the UK. Sophia, the elder of his two sisters, was born while the family lived in Leicester . They moved to India, before settling in Dublin in 1973, where his other sister, Sonia, was born. Varadkar

10582-415: The airport, with only some trains operating the full length of the line from Charlemont to Estuary. According to an initial planning report, the metro is proposed to operate for 19 hours per day, with services every 3 minutes at peak times. The planning report proposed a journey time to the city centre of 25 minutes from Swords and 20 minutes from Dublin Airport. A single-bore tunnel has been decided upon for

10725-426: The appointment of his successor. On 24 March, Simon Harris was elected unopposed in the 2024 Fine Gael leadership election . On 8 April, Varadkar submitted his resignation to President Higgins. The Dáil nomination for Taoiseach was held on 9 April, leading to the appointment of Harris as the new Taoiseach by President Michael D. Higgins . On 16 July, Varadkar announced that he would not stand for re-election at

10868-501: The approval by each party's membership. Fianna Fáil and the Green Party require a simple majority and a two-thirds vote , respectively, in a postal ballot of all members, while Fine Gael uses an electoral college system, with its parliamentary party making up 50% of the electorate, constituency delegates 25%, councillors 15% and the party's executive council filling the final 10%. On 26 June, Fine Gael voted 80%, Fianna Fáil voted 74% and

11011-474: The beginning of rapid transit. Initial experiences with steam engines, despite ventilation, were unpleasant. Experiments with pneumatic railways failed in their extended adoption by cities. In 1890, the City & South London Railway was the first electric-traction rapid transit railway, which was also fully underground. Prior to opening, the line was to be called the "City and South London Subway", thus introducing

11154-456: The cabinet reshuffle of July 2014, Varadkar replaced James Reilly as Minister for Health . Varadkar was returned to the Dáil at the 2016 general election . He retained the health portfolio in an acting capacity until May of that year, due to the delay in government formation . In one of his final acts as Minister for Health, Varadkar cut €12 million from the €35 million allocated to that year's budget for mental health care, telling

11297-455: The campaign for the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum, he came out as gay , the first serving Irish minister to do so. Following Kenny's resignation, Varadkar defeated Simon Coveney in the 2017 Fine Gael leadership election and was appointed Taoiseach on 14 June 2017. Aged 38, he was at that time the youngest Taoiseach in the history of the state. He became the first Taoiseach from an ethnic minority group, as well as Ireland's first, and

11440-422: The campaign was "all about [Varadkar's] aspirations to be leader". On 2 June 2017, Varadkar was elected leader of Fine Gael , defeating Simon Coveney . Although Coveney had the support of more Fine Gael members than Varadkar, the electoral college system more strongly weighted the votes of the party's parliamentarians, with these strongly backing Varadkar. Like Enda Kenny 's second term, Varadkar relied upon

11583-546: The causes and the people he believed in". Varadkar is a proponent of tax cuts and welfare reform, and supports investment in Ireland by multinational corporations such as Apple Inc , alongside keeping Ireland's corporate tax rate low. During his time as Minister for Social Protection in 2016 and 2017, Varadkar launched the "Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All" campaign, aimed at those committing welfare fraud. Varadkar, alongside his party Fine Gael, universally opposed Brexit , and much of his time during his first tenure as Taoiseach

11726-497: The chief operating officer at British low-cost airline group EasyJet . In response to a March 2020 Health Service Executive appeal to healthcare professionals, Varadkar rejoined the medical register and offered to work as a doctor one day each week. A draft programme for government was agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party on 15 June 2020. It was determined that the position of Taoiseach would rotate between Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar. The programme needed

11869-402: The city to the north, without having to change mode of transport. The Luas Green Line is largely built on most of the former Harcourt Street railway line alignment. When it was constructed, it was designed to allow metro trains to potentially operate on the line in the future, restoring heavy rail operations in the areas served. In the National Transport Authority's Draft Transport Strategy for

12012-456: The closure of all schools, universities and childcare facilities from the following day, as well as the closure of all cultural institutions and the cancellation of "all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people". After returning home early, Varadkar addressed the nation on Saint Patrick's night during A Ministerial Broadcast by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, TD , introducing television viewers to

12155-432: The concept of " cocooning ", i.e. "At a certain point... we will advise the elderly and people who have a long-term illness to stay at home for several weeks". The speech was the most watched television event in Irish history, surpassing the previous record held by The Late Late Toy Show by an additional total of about 25% and was widely distributed globally. It was also plagiarised by Irish businessman Peter Bellew ,

12298-426: The country. First elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2007 general election , he was appointed to the cabinet of Taoiseach Enda Kenny following the 2011 general election , which saw Fine Gael return to government after 14 years in opposition. He served as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport from 2011 to 2014, Minister for Health from 2014 to 2016, and Minister for Social Protection from 2016 to 2017. During

12441-540: The cuff" remarks led to the Evening Herald describing him as "gaffe-prone". In 2017, Irish Times columnist Stephen Collins described Varadkar as "coming across to the public, especially younger voters, as if he is not a politician at all". In 2022, the New York Times noted that "critics have pointed to Mr. Varadkar's stiffness of manner and tendency to speak his mind, to the point of insensitivity". In 2010,

12584-414: The display of the transit network. Often this has the effect of compressing the distance between stations in the outer area of the system, and expanding distances between those close to the center. Some systems assign unique alphanumeric codes to each of their stations to help commuters identify them, which briefly encodes information about the line it is on, and its position on the line. For example, on

12727-584: The entire metropolitan area is called Metra (short for Met ropolitan Ra il), while its rapid transit system that serves the city is called the "L" . Boston's subway system is known locally as "The T". In Atlanta , the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority goes by the acronym "MARTA." In the San Francisco Bay Area , residents refer to Bay Area Rapid Transit by its acronym "BART". The New York City Subway

12870-417: The establishment of the state. He is also the first head of government who is of half-Indian descent. It was also the first time that one Fine Gael Taoiseach was succeeded by another. One of Varadkar's first acts as Taoiseach was to announce a referendum on abortion for 2018 . He said that the government would also lay out a road map for achieving a low-carbon economy. His government nearly collapsed as

13013-496: The first opportunity to form a government. On 20 February, Varadkar offered his resignation to President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin , pursuant to the constitution, remaining, however, as Taoiseach until the formation of a new government . During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Ireland. While in Washington, D.C., ahead of Saint Patrick's Day , Varadkar announced measures intended to stop COVID-19 spreading, including

13156-548: The first time a serving taoiseach attended the coronation of a British monarch. On 23 November 2023, a mass stabbing outside a primary school in Parnell Square East , Dublin happened, with a five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s were seriously injured, and three others hurt Following the knife attack, a riot took place in Dublin city centre due to the assailant being born in Algeria. Leo Varadkar responded, saying he

13299-505: The floor rather than resting on ballast , such as normal railway tracks. An alternate technology, using rubber tires on narrow concrete or steel roll ways , was pioneered on certain lines of the Paris Métro and Mexico City Metro , and the first completely new system to use it was in Montreal , Canada. On most of these networks, additional horizontal wheels are required for guidance, and

13442-505: The greater Dublin region. In its report, the DTO outlined plans for three Metro lines. The first was a north–south line which would run from Swords to Shanganagh via Dublin Airport , Finglas , Broadstone , the city centre , Ranelagh , Sandyford and Cherrywood . The second would link Tallaght West to Tallaght and then continue through the south-western suburbs of Dublin to the city centre. The third line would run in an orbital pattern, with

13585-439: The interconnections between different parts of the system; for example, they show the interchange stations where passengers can transfer between lines. Unlike conventional maps, transit maps are usually not geographically accurate, but emphasize the topological connections among the different stations. The graphic presentation may use straight lines and fixed angles, and often a fixed minimum distance between stations, to simplify

13728-550: The launch of the Transport 21 programme in 2005. Three potential routes for the then called Metro North were published by the Railway Procurement Agency in February 2006. The first route option went through Finglas and made use of the former Broadstone railway alignment. The second route option went through Ballymun and was eventually adopted as the final route. The third route option went through Whitehall . After public consultation,

13871-399: The leaks might be unlawful, Varadkar denied this was the case and described the article as "inaccurate and grossly defamatory". He said that the provision of the agreement by an informal communication channel was not the best practice. In response to the claims by Village , the Green Party called for Varadkar to give a detailed account to the Dáil in response to the accusations. This request

14014-629: The line was proposed to interchange with the Luas at Tallaght and Belgard, rail services at Fonthill and Porterstown and Dublin Bus services at a number of other stops. Metro West was proposed to serve the northern parts of Finglas via stops at the N2 and Meakstown. When developing options for Metro West, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) considered routes south of the M50 , serving Finglas more directly. Ultimately, these routes were not deemed feasible. On 11 November 2008,

14157-587: The lines of the Lyon Metro includes a section of rack (cog) railway , while the Carmelit , in Haifa, is an underground funicular . For elevated lines, another alternative is the monorail , which can be built either as straddle-beam monorails or as a suspended monorail . While monorails have never gained wide acceptance outside Japan, there are some such as Chongqing Rail Transit 's monorail lines which are widely used in

14300-609: The long platforms required by MetroNorth - simplifying station construction. These plans were submitted to An Bord Pleanála in September 2022. Initially the route was to extend further south to Sandyford, subsuming the Luas Green Line tracks from Charlemont down to its final destination in Sandyford. According to those plans, Luas services on the Green Line would cease between Sandyford and Charlemont, and be replaced by Metro services. In March 2018 public consultations were held and

14443-545: The main rapid transit system. For instance, the Wenhu Line of the Taipei Metro serves many relatively sparse neighbourhoods and feeds into and complements the high capacity metro lines. Some systems have been built from scratch, others are reclaimed from former commuter rail or suburban tramway systems that have been upgraded, and often supplemented with an underground or elevated downtown section. Ground-level alignments with

14586-517: The most important gaps in the Dublin rail network. Two options were seen as a solution to the problem: The metro option emerged as the preferred option, as it provided both an airport link and a commuter link. It was described by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as "an important commuter link for the communities and institutions of North Dublin City and County". Metro North (from Swords to St. Stephen's Green) and Metro West were adopted as government policy with

14729-456: The mother's life is in danger up until six months. Varadkar said he would campaign for liberalising the laws, saying his mind was changed by difficult cases during his tenure as Minister for Health . The referendum passed with 66% of the votes. Varadkar was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2018. On 24 January 2019, Varadkar said in an interview with Euronews that he

14872-418: The network map "readable" by illiterate people, this system has since become an "icon" of the system. Compared to other modes of transport, rapid transit has a good safety record, with few accidents. Rail transport is subject to strict safety regulations , with requirements for procedure and maintenance to minimize risk. Head-on collisions are rare due to use of double track, and low operating speeds reduce

15015-402: The next vehicle will arrive, and expected travel times. The standardized GTFS data format for transit information allows many third-party software developers to produce web and smartphone app programs which give passengers customized updates regarding specific transit lines and stations of interest. Mexico City Metro uses a unique pictogram for each station. Originally intended to help make

15158-949: The occurrence and severity of rear-end collisions and derailments . Fire is more of a danger underground, such as the King's Cross fire in London in November 1987, which killed 31 people. Systems are generally built to allow evacuation of trains at many places throughout the system. High platforms , usually over 1 meter / 3 feet, are a safety risk, as people falling onto the tracks have trouble climbing back. Platform screen doors are used on some systems to eliminate this danger. Rapid transit facilities are public spaces and may suffer from security problems: petty crimes , such as pickpocketing and baggage theft, and more serious violent crimes , as well as sexual assaults on tightly packed trains and platforms. Security measures include video surveillance , security guards , and conductors . In some countries

15301-588: The only two North American systems that are primarily called "subways". In most of Southeast Asia and in Taiwan , rapid transit systems are primarily known by the acronym MRT . The meaning varies from one country to another. In Indonesia , the acronym stands for Moda Raya Terpadu or Integrated Mass [Transit] Mode in English. In the Philippines , it stands for Metro Rail Transit . Two underground lines use

15444-420: The original. MetroLink is intended to provide improved integration with heavy rail by including a new integrated heavy rail and metro interchange station at Glasnevin to provide transfers to and from the planned DART+ West and South West lines. In addition the route was changed to provide an interchange with existing DART services at Tara Street station in the centre of the city. The tunnel construction method

15587-582: The outset. Budapest , Chicago , Glasgow , Boston and New York City all converted or purpose-designed and built electric rail services. Advancements in technology have allowed new automated services. Hybrid solutions have also evolved, such as tram-train and premetro , which incorporate some of the features of rapid transit systems. In response to cost, engineering considerations and topological challenges some cities have opted to construct tram systems, particularly those in Australia, where density in cities

15730-523: The plan met with considerable opposition regarding the potential closure of the Green Line for an undetermined amount of time and issues regarding pedestrian and cyclist permeability along the line. As a result, revised plans were published in March 2019, where the Metrolink line would be delivered in two phases, meaning the Green Line would not be upgraded during the first phase. The Green Line Upgrade would happen as

15873-480: The procurement process for Metro North. In October 2007 it announced that it had a shortlist of four consortia interested in building Metro North. Draft Environmental Impact Statements were published in early 2008. On 17 September 2008, the RPA applied for a railway order to An Bord Pleanála. Oral hearings were heard during 2009 and 2010. On 5 October 2011, Metro North was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála. It

16016-482: The project was proposed to begin construction in 2025 and that, "all going well" it could be in operation by 2035. The original idea for the two Metro lines in Dublin can be attributed to the November 2001 "Platform for Change" report by the Dublin Transportation Office (now part of the National Transport Authority ). The purpose of the report was to come up with an integrated transportation strategy for

16159-908: The rapid transit system varies greatly between cities, with several transport strategies. Some systems may extend only to the limits of the inner city, or to its inner ring of suburbs with trains making frequent station stops. The outer suburbs may then be reached by a separate commuter rail network where more widely spaced stations allow higher speeds. In some cases the differences between urban rapid transit and suburban systems are not clear. Rapid transit systems may be supplemented by other systems such as trolleybuses , regular buses , trams , or commuter rail. This combination of transit modes serves to offset certain limitations of rapid transit such as limited stops and long walking distances between outside access points. Bus or tram feeder systems transport people to rapid transit stops. Each rapid transit system consists of one or more lines , or circuits. Each line

16302-545: The revised MetroLink project was proposed to open in 2027. In December 2019, test drilling for boreholes began for the line. Engineering consultant firm SNC-Lavalin was appointed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in March 2020 as operations advisor for the project. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland , work was halted, however in November 2020 ground investigation works resumed with work in Swords. Originally

16445-525: The rubber tires. However, they have higher maintenance costs and are less energy efficient. They also lose traction when weather conditions are wet or icy, preventing above-ground use of the Montréal Metro and limiting it on the Sapporo Municipal Subway, but not rubber-tired systems in other cities. Some cities with steep hills incorporate mountain railway technologies in their metros. One of

16588-636: The suburbs, allowing a higher service frequency in the center. This arrangement is used by many systems, such as the Copenhagen Metro , the Milan Metro , the Oslo Metro , the Istanbul Metro and the New York City Subway . Alternatively, there may be a single central terminal (often shared with the central railway station), or multiple interchange stations between lines in the city center, for instance in

16731-455: The support of Independents and the abstention of Fianna Fáil TDs to support his bid for Taoiseach. On 14 June 2017, he was elected as Taoiseach in a 57–50 vote with 47 abstentions. He became Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach, as well as the youngest; however, he is not the youngest head of an Irish government, as both Éamon de Valera and Michael Collins were younger on assuming their respective offices in revolutionary governments prior to

16874-706: The term subway . In Thailand , it stands for Metropolitan Rapid Transit , previously using the Mass Rapid Transit name. Outside of Southeast Asia, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan, Taiwan , have their own MRT systems which stands for Mass Rapid Transit , as with Singapore and Malaysia . In general rapid transit is a synonym for "metro" type transit, though sometimes rapid transit is defined to include "metro", commuter trains and grade separated light rail . Also high-capacity bus-based transit systems can have features similar to "metro" systems. The opening of London's steam-hauled Metropolitan Railway in 1863 marked

17017-519: The term Subway into railway terminology. Both railways, alongside others, were eventually merged into London Underground . The 1893 Liverpool Overhead Railway was designed to use electric traction from the outset. The technology quickly spread to other cities in Europe , the United States, Argentina, and Canada, with some railways being converted from steam and others being designed to be electric from

17160-511: The trains, requiring custom-made trains in order to minimize gaps between train and platform. They are typically integrated with other public transport and often operated by the same public transport authorities . Some rapid transit systems have at-grade intersections between a rapid transit line and a road or between two rapid transit lines. The world's first rapid transit system was the partially underground Metropolitan Railway which opened in 1863 using steam locomotives , and now forms part of

17303-458: The transport plan would cost €9.5 billion, with the most extreme figure putting it at €23 billion. In 2006, Eamon Ryan , then transport spokesperson for the Green Party , called for the underground section of Metro North to be extended south to Beechwood , where it would then surface and provide a direct link to the Luas Green Line . This option would allow passengers to travel from the south of

17446-460: The underground section, in order to save on the cost of a twin-bore tunnel. Initially, the National Transport Authority projected that the cost of the project would be €3 billion. As of March 2021, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath reportedly "warned that existing budgets may not cover" the full costs of MetroLink and related projects. It was estimated in July 2022 that

17589-591: The use of communications-based train control : the minimum headway can reach 90 seconds, but many systems typically use 120 seconds to allow for recovery from delays. Typical capacity lines allow 1,200 people per train, giving 36,000 passengers per hour per direction . However, much higher capacities are attained in East Asia with ranges of 75,000 to 85,000 people per hour achieved by MTR Corporation 's urban lines in Hong Kong. Rapid transit topologies are determined by

17732-460: The week, a consensus deal was finalised. Varadkar stated he had received guarantees from the UK there would be no hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. He later said he and his cabinet had "achieved all we set out to achieve" during the talks before quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill , by saying "This is not the end but it is the end of the beginning". An Irish Times poll taken during these days showed Varadkar with

17875-819: The world's fifth, openly gay head of government . He led Fine Gael into the 2020 general election , in which the party won 35 seats, a loss of 15 seats since the 2016 general election . After lengthy negotiations, Fine Gael formed a three-party coalition government with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party , with the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael party leaders rotating the offices of Taoiseach and Tánaiste. Varadkar served as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022, when he exchanged positions with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to begin his second term as Taoiseach. Citing personal and political reasons, he resigned as Fine Gael leader on 20 March 2024 and resigned as Taoiseach on 8 April; he

18018-685: Was "shocked" by the knife attack and praised the emergency services for responding "very quickly". He said later that the rioters had brought "shame" to Dublin for their families and themselves, and were not motivated by patriotism but by "hate" and their "love" of "violence", "chaos", and "causing pain to others", and pledged to use the "full resources of the law, the full machinery of the state to punish those involved" in what he called "grotesque events". Varadkar also pledged to pass new laws to enable police "to make better use of" CCTV evidence and "modernise" laws regarding hate and incitement. In March 2024, two referendums were held on proposed amendments to

18161-540: Was Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, which launched its first underground mobile phone network using AMPS in 1989. Many metro systems, such as the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and the Berlin U-Bahn, provide mobile data connections in their tunnels for various network operators. The technology used for public, mass rapid transit has undergone significant changes in the years since

18304-456: Was able to repair his relationship with Kenny. At the 2011 general election , Varadkar was re-elected to Dáil Éireann, with 8,359 first-preference votes (a 19.7% share of the poll in a four-seat constituency). When Fine Gael formed a coalition government with the Labour Party , Varadkar was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 9 March 2011. This appointment was considered

18447-451: Was appointed as Taoiseach for a second time, following Micheál Martin 's resignation to President Michael D. Higgins . On 13 April 2023, Varadkar met with U.S. President Joe Biden at Farmleigh House during his four-day visit to the island of Ireland . On 6 May 2023, Varadkar, along with President Michael D. Higgins , attended the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla , marking

18590-570: Was appointed by President Michael D. Higgins on 27 June, marking the end of Varadkar's first term. Varadkar was appointed as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment by his successor, Micheál Martin . It was agreed then that they would exchange positions in December 2022, with Varadkar retaking the position of Taoiseach for the remainder of the coalition's term. On 31 October 2020, Village published an article alleging that Varadkar had leaked confidential documents, including

18733-580: Was changed from twin-bore to single bore to minimise disruption and reduce costs. Some of the MetroNorth stations would have required expensive mined construction while all MetroLink stations have been designed to be constructed using the simpler cut and cover method. MetroLink is to be driverless and platforms due to incorporate platform screen doors , while MetroNorth was designed to be manually operated by drivers by line-of-sight . Because higher frequencies are intended to be possible, MetroLink does not require

18876-845: Was developed further. Other Central European countries also have metro lines, for example in the cities of Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic) and Warsaw (Poland). In Eastern Europe , metro systems are in operation in Minsk (Belarus), Kyiv (Ukraine) and Moscow (Russia). In Southeastern European countries, there are metro systems in Athens and Thessaloniki (Greece), Belgrade (Serbia), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Istanbul (Turkey). In Northern Europe , rapid transit systems exist in Copenhagen (Denmark), Oslo (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden) and Helsinki (Finland). Various terms are used for rapid transit systems around North America . The term metro

19019-603: Was educated at the St Francis Xavier national school in Blanchardstown and then The King's Hospital , a Church of Ireland secondary school in Palmerstown . At the age of 16, he joined Young Fine Gael . He was admitted to Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where he briefly studied law before switching to its School of Medicine . At TCD, he was active in the university's Young Fine Gael branch and served as vice-president of

19162-580: Was lost has now been found and returned... A little girl was snatched from her home and held captive for almost seven weeks. She spent her ninth birthday as a hostage." He was criticised for the use of the phrases "lost" and "found" by Israel's foreign minister Eli Cohen . Varadkar rejected calls to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 due to Israel's participation. In January 2024, he expressed doubts about South Africa's genocide case against Israel . In March 2024, he resisted calls to boycott

19305-681: Was low and suburbs tended to spread out . Since the 1970s, the viability of underground train systems in Australian cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne , has been reconsidered and proposed as a solution to over-capacity. Melbourne had tunnels and stations developed in the 1970s and opened in 1980. The first line of the Sydney Metro was opened in 2019. Since the 1960s, many new systems have been introduced in Europe , Asia and Latin America . In

19448-537: Was proposed to run from an intersection with Metro North, just south of the airport at Santry, and from there pass through Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley , and Clondalkin before joining the Luas Red Line to continue towards Tallaght. Metro West was planned to be entirely above ground, at road level, and 25.5 kilometres long (15.8 mi). Planning on the Metro West Project was suspended in September 2011 following

19591-612: Was reached in the Brexit talks, as Arlene Foster , leader of the Democratic Unionist Party , objected to a deal agreed to by Varadkar, British Prime Minister Theresa May , and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker . This prevented an agreement from being reached as the deadline approached. Varadkar stated he was "surprised and disappointed" the UK could not reach a deal. Later in

19734-420: Was seconded by Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, stating: "The facts for me here are clear – Leo, as the leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach at the time, passed on a document to a friend about sensitive negotiations involving hundreds of millions of euro of taxpayers' money." Varadkar's Fine Gael colleague Paschal Donohoe also expressed a desire for Varadkar to answer questions in the Dáil. Varadkar apologised in

19877-472: Was speculated by the media that the Metro North Project would be indefinitely deferred on 12 August 2011 following a review by Leo Varadkar , then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport . This was confirmed on 10 November 2011. In September 2015, it was announced that Metro North was being relaunched, with a revised opening date of 2027. In September 2021, government representatives indicated that

20020-473: Was spent in negotiations with the British government over how the shared border between the United Kingdom and Ireland would operate. Varadkar is a supporter of CETA , a proposed free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. However, Varadkar has faced opposition to many aspects of the agreement, not just from opposition parties, but also members of his own government coalition, especially members of

20163-647: Was standing firm on the Irish backstop and called Brexit an act of self-harm that was not fully thought through. He also said the technology promised by the Brexiteers to solve the Northern Ireland border issue "doesn't yet exist". Varadkar stated he will refuse to ratify the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement unless Brazil commits to protecting the environment. The fear is that the deal could lead to more deforestation of

20306-512: Was succeeded by Simon Harris . He subsequently announced that he would not contest the 2024 general election , saying that he wished to "explore new options and opportunities". Born on 18 January 1979, in the Rotunda Hospital , Dublin, Varadkar is the third child and only son of Ashok and Miriam ( née  Howell ) Varadkar. His father was born in Bombay (now Mumbai ), India, and moved to

20449-451: Was the ideological leader of a "hard-right" faction within Fine Gael who unsuccessfully sought to replace leader Enda Kenny with Richard Bruton, but over the course of the next decade Varadkar was brought further and further into the political centre. In 2011, Varadkar cited Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary as the Irish person he most admired due to his forthrightness, and Otto von Bismarck as

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