Vol. 568 No. 1
610 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has received cost estimates of increasing the height capacity of the Dublin Port tunnel by 0.1 metres, 0.2 metres, 0.3 metres and further; and the basis on which he has decided that the benefit of achieving the extra usage of the tunnel would not outweigh the additional costs. [15366/03]
Design and construction of the Dublin Port tunnel is a matter for the NRA and Dublin City Council as project managers. I have not received estimates from the NRA or Dublin City Council of the costs of raising the height of the Dublin Port tunnel on the basis set out by the Deputy or estimates of the benefits that might accrue from raising the height of the tunnel. Construction of the tunnel is proceeding as planned having regard to the extent of work completed to date, the potential high cost and substantial delays associated with redesign and reconstruction of work already completed and the fact that the tunnel, which is on a par with best international practice in terms of tunnel heights, will cater for more than 99% of truck traffic entering and leaving the port. I will, however, keep the matter under review having regard to any additional information that becomes available.
611 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if his proposal to privatise the Dublin Port tunnel will reverse the commitments that trucks using the tunnel would not be tolled, which was made when the tunnel was approved. [15367/03]
612 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if the proposal to privatise the Dublin Port tunnel will also transfer liability for any damage caused by the tunnel; and if this is consistent with the guarantees given to the public at the time of the public inquiry. [15368/03]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.
Despite the greatly increased levels of investment in the national roads programme, the increased cost of the programme combined with the more difficult economic and budgetary circumstances, which limit the capacity to allocate more Exchequer funding, require that we consider all possibilities for generating additional funding to accelerate the implementation of the national roads programme. Accordingly a number of options have been identified for examination which have the potential to generate additional funding for the programme. These include the extension of the proposed tolling regime on the Dublin Port tunnel and the sale of the facility. However, no decisions have been made pending the carrying out of the necessary detailed analyses and studies by the NRA. These will take some time to undertake and complete. Construction of the Dublin Port tunnel is proceeding as planned. Claims for any damage attributable to the construction of the tunnel are a matter for the contractors and Dublin City Council in the first instance.
