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Tánaiste criticises 'indefensible decision' from Trump who says he'll suspend US funding to WHO

The US President has also accused state governors of acting like traitorous sailors from the film Mutiny on the Bounty yesterday.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Apr 2020

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump announced last night that swathes of the United States could lift coronavirus shutdowns “very soon” and made peace with state governors after being accused of acting like a king.

While defusing an extraordinary domestic row, Trump however opened a new front on the international stage when he announced a freeze in US funding to the World Health Organization because he said it had been biased to China.

This move was criticised in many quarters with former WHO director and and University College London Professor Anthony Costello telling RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Sean O’Rourke that “whichever way you look at it, it’s a terrible decision”.

Furthermore, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said it was an “indefensible decision” and that “deliberately undermining funding and trust now is shocking”. 

According to Trump, the WHO prevented transparency over the Covid-19 outbreak when it appeared in China, costing other countries crucial time to prepare, delaying decisions to stop international travel.

“Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts into China to objectively assess the situation on the ground and to call out China’s lack of transparency, the outbreak could have been contained at its source with very little death,” he said.

“The WHO’s attack on travel restrictions put political correctness above life-saving measures.”

“We have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to the best use possible,” he said, adding that Washington would now “discuss what we do with all that money that goes to the WHO”.

In January, however, Trump had actually praised China for its “transparency” over the virus. In a tweet on 24 January, he said: “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well.”

The United States contributed nearly $900 million (€820 million) to the WHO’s budget for 2018-19, according to information on the agency’s website. That represents one-fifth of its total budget for those years.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to the president’s announcement by saying now is not the time to end support for the WHO, calling it “absolutely critical” to the global effort to combat Covid-19.

Guterres said that it is possible that different entities read the facts differently but that the appropriate time for a review is “once we have finally turned the page on this pandemic”.

Professor Costello told Sean O’Rourke that Trump has “always been hostile to the UN” and he’s “made numerous threats in the past”.

“I suspect this was a short-term attempt to divert attention away from his own media,” Costello said, as well as stating he believed that Trump may not actually go through with cutting the funding. 

He defended the WHO from claims they’d been “too deferential” to China and said it was vital that WHO to seek to go into China and get data on the virus back in January. “WHO did everything it could do,” he added. 

Some reopenings ‘very soon’

Downing Street said the UK was not planning to follow the US in withholding funds from the World Health Organisation.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Our position is that the UK has no plans to stop funding the WHO, which has an important role to play in leading the global health response.

“Coronavirus is a global challenge and it’s essential that countries work together to tackle this shared threat.”

Asked if the Government was disappointed by Donald Trump’s move, the spokesman said: “I can only set out the UK’s position and that is we have no plans to stop funding the WHO.”

Facing a tough reelection in November, the Republican president is eager to get the world’s biggest economy back on its feet as quickly as possible.

But a threat on Monday to invoke his “total” power to force state governors to follow his directives on reopening prompted an outcry.

“We don’t have King Trump, we have President Trump,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on CNN.

Equally combative, Trump responded on Twitter by likening skeptical governors to rebellious sailors in the movie Mutiny on the Bounty.

At his press conference, Trump backpedalled, clarifying that governors would take the lead on when and how to ease the restrictions paralysing the US economy.

“I’m not going to put any pressure on any governor to open,” Trump said.

The president indicated that numerous states with less dense populations could open “very, very soon, sooner than the end of the month,” while places like New York could take longer.

“We’ll open it up in beautiful little pieces,” Trump said.

The president had been expected to unveil a new task force yesterday for managing the national reopening. That did not happen.

Instead, Trump announced he would be talking to large groups of business leaders, Congress members and all 50 governors in conference calls this week.

“Our country has to get open and it will get open,” he said.

California caution

For weeks, Trump has veered between supporting a sudden, large-scale reopening and a cautious, case-by-case relaxation of mitigation measures.

In the end, Trump has bowed — often reluctantly — to advice from medical experts who argue that relaxing social distancing and allowing people back to work prematurely would spark a coronavirus second wave.

Reflecting the sense of instability, economic powerhouses California and New York, both led by Democrats, are developing their own reopening plans, insisting that Trump will not set the pace.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who has joined forces with Oregon and Washington states to coordinate the transition, said he would not announce any concrete timing for at least another two weeks.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” he said. “I don’t want to make a political decision that puts people’s lives at risk and puts the economy at even more risk.”

Talks are underway for eventual reopening of California restaurants, schools and businesses but many social distancing procedures are likely to be retained, including wider spacing at meal times and wearing of masks, he said.

“Normal, it will not be,” he warned.

No ‘King’ Trump

On Monday, Trump had insisted that he can override state governors to determine the reopening schedule.

“When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total,” Trump said.

Trump’s claim — disputed by constitutional experts — took long-running confusion over who is in charge to a new height.

Having previously argued vociferously that he is not responsible for managing the crisis, Trump was now accused of seeking monarchical powers to impose his will.

“We ran away from having a king, and George Washington was president, not King Washington. So the president doesn’t have total authority,” Cuomo told CNN.

“If he ordered me to reopen in a way that would endanger the public health of the people of my state, I wouldn’t do it,” he said.

Trump fired back on Twitter, comparing the situation to Mutiny on the Bounty.

“A good old-fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain,” he tweeted.

© – AFP 2020

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Gallagher
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:26 AM

    Lets just hope idiots stop crashing their cars into it!!!

    291
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    Mute Fagan fagan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:49 AM

    And bicycles , bikes , mopeds , addicts, drunk people , Dublin bus & people looking for specsavers

    122
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    Mute Lord Loverocket
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:04 PM

    Wouldn’t worry to much about the junkies, they need to be culled anyway. Ever drive up Gardiner St? I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve had to jam on, one even pushed a pram out in front of me. There should be warning traffic signs saying junkies about, drive with care.

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    Mute Fagan fagan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:09 PM

    Does it cross your mind that heroin production has increased 90% since Afghanistan was invaded and make you say wtf
    Food for thought

    47
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    Mute Darragh Flynn
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:11 PM

    It’s mad was in Berlin recently, and the trams over there run in the centre of almost every road, zig zagging across intersections and public plaza’s…not once did they have to beep, or sound a warning bell like the Luas does, people just simply know better.

    One thing about the Luas I guess, is that it’s a dark & light grey with small colourful accents, whereas the one’s in Berlin were bright yellow with black accents. The Luas blends in with it’s surroundings a little too well, still doesn’t mean that the people crashing aren’t idiots/in the wrong, just makes it harder to notice at the last second I reckon.

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    Mute Fagan fagan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:22 PM

    I have to laugh at the people red thumbing my comment bout 90% heroin production
    It’s mainstream news that its the case guess the truth scares you

    32
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    Mute Colm Durkan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 2:00 PM

    Then leave your comment on an article about heroine.

    77
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    Mute Fagan fagan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 2:25 PM

    @ Colm
    Heroine?!?!? What’s that ?

    16
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    Mute Rehabmeerkat
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 3:34 PM

    @Fagan … A female superhero like jessica Fletcher

    48
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    Mute Fagan fagan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 3:54 PM

    Ahhhhh a heroine thanks for clearing that up

    2
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    Mute Cathal Nolan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:48 AM

    The two luas lines should have interchanged when they were built in the first place.

    116
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    Mute Wayne Bruce
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:55 AM

    Glad this is finally getting done.

    I love this country. But we are feckin’ useless at long term planning.

    109
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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:39 PM

    It’s always been the case. The Rotunda doesn’t cap the top of O’Connell St. City Hall isn’t square with the top of Parliament St. Trinity College cuts off half the city centre from proper north-south routes. This isn’t new.

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    Mute collie dub
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:39 PM

    For Dublin to act like a capital city like any other capital city in the world we need a rail link to the airport. Its simple basic common sense to link an airport to the city centre. We’re miles behind lads!

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    Mute marcus de paor
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:57 PM

    Collie….. I’m shocked. .a sensible suggestion. … you ll never get into the civil service or government

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    Mute John
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 4:37 PM

    Thought you were a “scouser” you’ve no business commenting on Dublin stories, oh wait you not a real scouser just a plastic one.

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    Mute Billie Hetfield
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:53 AM

    When completed this should be pretty damn good. Add to that the train link out to the airport. We’re starting to look like a capital city.

    Dublin 15 could use more transport options mind you.

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:34 AM

    This will be extremely handy, just a pity it won’t be here til 2017!

    74
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    Mute Bill66
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:24 PM

    Mary o rourke was the minister in charge of the two luas lines that didn’t meet, the engineers wanted them to meet but the civil servants didn’t. So it proves the point never never listen to civil servants on anything they will avoid hassle and extra work at all costs.

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    Mute derek o'neill
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:51 PM

    It was a political decision not one made or suggested by civil servants.

    28
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    Mute _doesnotcompute
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 3:54 PM

    @Bill – it was actually a political decision. The business owners on Grafton Street didn’t want the Luas going down Grafton street and Mary O Rourke folded to their lobbying. It wasn’t the civil servants who are to blame.

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:42 AM

    Should of been done from the beginning, but better late than never!

    66
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    Mute Sarah Curran
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:47 PM

    Agree totally- nine years after the LUAS first arrived and they’re only linking them together now!

    It’ll be great once it’s completed, though…

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:59 PM

    Best thing ever happened is Luas. I use the Red Line frequently travelling the first part of the journey by car. My only gripe is the somewhat intimidating behaviour of young and not so young people who regularly jump on for a few stops. Some of them are clearly under the influence of alcohol or some other drug. The security guys should be more visible at the stops away from the city centre.

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    Mute Nick Beard
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 5:57 PM

    I had a really good experience with a driver when a gentleman who was high grabbed me on the red line luas – more staff really does make a difference when your safety is questioned.

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    Mute Conal
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:34 AM

    It’s a pity in this country that the construction process takes so long.

    48
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    Mute Chris Coffey
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 4:02 PM

    Is it just my phone or is the infographic really low-res?

    39
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    Mute Roger
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:09 PM

    Another station in Broombridge for teenagers to start bonfires at I suppose.

    39
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    Mute Lord Loverocket
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:08 PM

    Is it that difficult to walk from St Stephens Green to Connolly Station? This money should’ve been spent on an airport rail link.

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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:40 PM

    Or we could do both?

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:57 PM

    What about those that cant do the walk, elderly, luggage, shopping, etc.

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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:32 PM

    I’m guessing the answer to that is the same as it is for every piece of government spending that people disagree with:

    “Something something hospital beds”

    36
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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 6:50 PM

    Why they don’t put hospital beds on a Luas which goes all the way to Dublin Airport through the Port Tunnel is beyond me…

    23
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    Mute Stephen O'Donnell
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:26 AM

    Whats the final bill going to be? To the nearest billion……

    17
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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:20 AM

    LUAS
    LATE UNRELIABLE AND STUPID

    15
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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:29 AM

    11:30 on a Saturday and you are on here moaning as always. Sad life

    228
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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:39 AM

    What are you doing here then?

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    Mute Billie Hetfield
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 11:51 AM

    How are they unreliable?

    And stupid? Get your act together you sad case.

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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:36 PM

    Every day there is a crash, sade case ha look in mirror.

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    Mute MB
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:36 PM

    Paul, you have me in stitches. Wassup pal!!! xxx

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    Mute Billie Hetfield
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:49 PM

    A Luas is on a track. They can’t avoid dumbass motorists who don’t obey the rules of the road. How can a Luas avoid getting hit?

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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 5:58 PM

    Point is they are in accidents quite often and the motorists is not always to blame.

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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 6:05 PM

    I was here reading the article and then seen your silly comment complaining it seems that’s all you do on here just come to complain. If you don’t like Ireland so much please there are flights out everyday we could all do with a few less moans around here(Ireland).

    21
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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 10:17 PM

    Seems like your spying on Me, one word for people like you….

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    Mute Alan Rooney
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    Aug 4th 2013, 1:32 AM

    Sounds like somebody has had their car rammed by a Luas before!
    You’re not called BadDrivingIreland for nothing!

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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Aug 4th 2013, 2:24 AM

    A bit paranoid?

    4
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    Mute BadDrivingIreland
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    Aug 4th 2013, 8:57 AM

    Fail I don’t even live in city.

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:55 PM

    Pity they dont advertise this properly, its not a link up as such. You will have to transfer trams either way. like needing two buses to get to where you need to go. Its not one continuous line link alot of people think.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 6:49 PM

    I’m sure they can schedule it pretty efficiently so that the minute you get off one tram, the other one is there too and ready to depart.

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    Mute John Lawless
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:08 PM

    It’s a shame they didn’t make the green and red line tracks the same size. That way, they could actually join them up, rather than just creating an interchange.

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    Mute Vivian Wynne Philips
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:15 PM

    There both the same standard gauge I thought..

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    Mute Jay Christo
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:30 PM

    Yep, urban myth. Trams have even been switched between lines

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    Mute John Lawless
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:32 PM

    Huh. Fair enough. So why don’t they have them join? I’d imagine that would be handy to have.

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    Mute Fuh Qiu
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:36 PM

    They are the same size, it’s the gap between 2 passing trams that’s different, not the width of the tracks -the green line can take wider metro trains or trams in the future if needed but the rail width is identical.

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    Mute John Lawless
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 12:38 PM

    Ah, I see. That clears that up, so!

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    Mute Tommy Gunz
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:06 PM

    There is a social gauge change which makes the two lines incompatible.

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    Mute Victor Fitzpatrick
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 4:13 PM

    The Luas uses the international standard track gauge of 1,435 mm whereas our trains in Ireland use a broad track gauge of 1,600 mm. As far I know the reason the different gauge was chosen for the Luas was that it would require less road space in the city and it would be cheaper to source rolling stock.

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    Mute Eric De Red
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:43 PM

    LUAS = overpriced bus lane.

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 1:56 PM

    It costs about the same as the bus and if you’re going like one stop ya can always risk it and not buy a ticket.

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    Mute Eric De Red
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    Aug 4th 2013, 7:41 AM

    Not to the taxpayer it doesn’t.

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    Mute Jack F
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    Aug 3rd 2013, 3:03 PM

    That sounds brilliant. Hope no one messes it up.

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