Originally Posted by Stephen Collins, Irish Times,

The politicians who run the Dáil complex have decided to defy the planning laws and retain a temporary car park on Leinster Lawn for the foreseeable future, writes Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent.

In the meantime they intend to explore the possibility of building a two-storey, underground car park which could also be put to commercial use.

The Oireachtas Commission decided to retain the temporary car park, which was put down on Leinster Lawn in the late 1990s to enable construction of new office accommodation, until the underground car park can be built. That will not happen for at least four years.

The decision was taken by the commission even though it noted that "the current temporary car park was in contravention of the Part IX planning process which required the lawn to be reinstated following completion of the Leinster House 2000 works".

Originally Posted by Maximus

What a non story, you'd never guess it was summer time.

Originally Posted by David Cochrane

Of course it's a story. Get a grip, you'd be whinging if it was FG in gov!

Originally Posted by Maximus

What next - Stephen Colins reporting on a new paint job for the LH 2000 wing, c'mon this is just drivel... I expect more for my €1.60, there has to be some real news he can cover

Originally Posted by ryano

Government has been swearing blind at all stages that the removal of Leinster Lawn was only temporary

Originally Posted by ryano

You don't require planning permission for a paint job.

Originally Posted by Some dude writing in to The Kingdom

Randy Leprechaun is doing his bit for Kerry tourism
I WAS absolutely astonished to discover that the Randy Leprechaun pub in Annascaul has been ordered to remove three leprechaun murals from its walls by Kerry County Council.

I read in The Kingdom that the Randy Leprechaun has also been told to remove its flourescent green paintwork and to replace it with more neutral tones.

...

Kerry County Council is doing local tourism a disservice in its refusal to grant permission for the retention of the murals and signs depicting the leprechaun in a relaxed mood, smoking his pipe and taking a rest

...

The council should be encouraged to immediately reverse the decision in respect of the leprechaun murals and green paintwork.

...

Originally Posted by Maximus

It is only temporary... The OPW are activally working on a proposal to develop a 2 story underground car park, according to the report they are due to minutes they are due to report back in Sept / Oct 06, after which construction can start.

Originally Posted by Jippo

I read in The Kingdom that the Randy Leprechaun has also been told to remove its flourescent green paintwork and to replace it with more neutral tones.