Vol. 555 No. 3
69 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with all the safety procedures and plans for the Dublin Port tunnel; and if he has concerns regarding the massive cost of the ?450 million project. [18529/02]
The design and construction of the Dublin Port tunnel is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, in co-operation with the relevant local authority. Dublin City Council and the National Roads Authority have developed the Dublin Port tunnel to the highest international standards in terms of safety, both as regards construction and operation. The project was the subject of a lengthy public inquiry during March-April 1999, when the safety aspects were thoroughly examined by the joint inspectors appointed by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government who had responsibility in this regard at the time.
The Dublin Port tunnel has a construction contract value of almost €450 million. The project, while very costly in capital terms, will provide enormous benefits to the city of Dublin and to industry and the economy as a whole when completed in 2005.
Before entering into the detail of this matter, I congratulate the Minister on being appointed to the Cabinet and wish him well for the future.
I have a number of questions about the Dublin Port tunnel, particularly with regard to safety, costs and the traffic plan. Is the Minister aware of the genuine and serious concerns of the people of Marino, Fairview and Santry about the Dublin Port tunnel project? Is he satisfied with the safety plan for an emergency response to a fire in the vicinity of the tunnel boring machine? Is he aware that tunnel trucks do not have automatic fire suppression systems and carry only fire extinguishers? Does he recall the Mont Blanc tunnel fire in which 60 lives were lost? Is he aware that there is major potential for a fire to break out in the Dublin Port tunnel and has the emergency lighting system been completed?
I thank the Deputy for his kind congratulations. I take the view, as I am sure the Deputy does, that even though we represent Dublin constituencies there cannot be too many Galway Deputies in the Dáil.
They are well over quota.
I share the Deputy's concern about the safety of these projects. It is a priority for the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority. I am assured that the Dublin Port tunnel meets the highest safety standards and I can forward the Deputy a list of the safety features. There are sophisticated detection systems, emergency telephones and fire stations every 125 metres, specialised ventilation and loudspeaker systems and a communications system which allows the tunnel operator to interrupt radio broadcasts on the radios of cars travelling through the tunnel. In the event of an emergency it facilitates communication with traffic in the tunnel. Obviously, the radios will have to be switched on but, presumably, if there were a problem, the motorists would switch on their radios. An emergency response plan will be developed prior to the tunnel being opened and that is now at an advanced stage. There is also a cross passage linking each of the tubes every 250 metres and there is closed circuit television coverage 24 hours a day. The primary safety feature is that the tunnel is uni-directional in nature. These features are in place. The Deputy is correct that we cannot be too careful but I have been assured that the highest level of safety features are in place.
Is it correct that the Dublin Port tunnel is three months behind schedule? Is the Minister satisfied with the fact that the project is now costing €450 million, nearly €150 million more than the original budget? Does the Minister recognise the seriously disturbing fact that despite the testing, boreholes and investigations that have been carried out, the company does not seem to know what it is doing under the ground? This tunnel could become a tunnel of death. Is the Minister aware of the miserly awards of compensation offered to the families directly affected? Can he use his power and authority to intervene and increase the offers to these families?
The project is running some months late. I do not have an exact figure but I can forward it to the Deputy. The Deputy quoted a figure of €450 million. That is the contract price. If one includes land acquisition and other costs, the figure is €650 million. I will look into the issue regarding the families. Many of these matters have probably already been decided by due process but I will make inquiries.
