Minister Ross ‘pranked’ over swimming pool

A RENEWED demand has been made on all Dublin Rathdown politicians to make the delivery of Ballyogan’s new swimming pool a top priority.

The call was made by Sinn Féin councillor Chris Curran, after Minister Shane Ross was

“pranked

? by local kids in Ballyogan as he was attending a local mini-world cup recently.

Standing where the swimming pool is supposed to be built, Minister Ross was pictured apparently unaware that local kids were making a political point with an inflatable pool.

Cllr Curran said:

“The population of Leopardstown, Stepaside and Carrickmines is expected to grow hugely over the next couple of years.

“The area is void of desperately-needed community facilities.

“We have a problem with anti-social behaviour and the completion of the pool is integral to combating it.

“Sinn Féin has real fears that the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus, within which the pool is planned, could become unattainable because of rising tender inflation.

?

He added:

“It is now time for all Dublin Rathdown politicians to pledge their support for this project.

Cllr Curran claimed that Minister Ross’s ongoing campaign for the reopening of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool had led to a local belief that he is not committed to the Ballyogan pool.

“Minister Ross has the power to advance this project but unfortunately he seems preoccupied with the demand for the reopening of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, even though that project has the backing of all local politicians,

? Cllr Curran said.

“However, what about the

?¬20 million phase two of the Samuel Becket Civic Campus in Ballyogan, which is heavily reliant on a multi-million euro, local authority swimming pool grant from Minister Ross’s Department of Sport?

“Minister Ross cannot campaign in one part of the constituency while remaining silent on an issue for which he has a role in finding a solution.

“He should  assert his commitment to the delivery of the project immediately.

?

A spokesperson for Minister Ross’s office said the minister did not want to comment on the issue.