I propose to take Questions Nos. 1026, 1050 and 1062 together.
The matters raised by the Deputy are matters for the contractor, Dublin City Council and the NRA. I am informed by the NRA and Dublin City Council that the port tunnel passes under approximately 50 apartments and 334 houses. The first of the two tunnel tubes has been successfully completed, having passed under or close to all of these properties. From the 2.25 kilometres of bored tunnel which has been constructed a small number of complaints have been received claiming damage to some properties. I understand that any verified damage connected with the tunnelling will be made good by Dublin City Council.
I understand that a number of measures are in force to ensure the safety of properties. All properties lying within a 30 metre zone of influence on either side of the tunnel have pre-construction and post-construction building condition surveys carried out by independent building surveyors. Any damage attributable to tunnelling works are covered by a property protection guarantee issued by Dublin City Council to all the property owners before the tunnelling works commenced. There is also provision for interim surveys should complaints arise during the construction period. The project's insurance loss adjusters are also available to assess any damages arising from property owners claims, if and as they arise.
I also understand that other significant measures have also been taken to monitor and ensure the safety of buildings over the tunnel including: vibration monitors being installed at various properties to monitor any vibration from the works; settlement surveys being carried out on an ongoing basis during tunnelling under houses; and an extensometer being installed in certain boreholes along the route which remotely monitors ground movements in the rock before such movements appear at the surface and provides substantial information on the ground behaviour associated with the tunnelling.
Within the tunnel, monitoring of the tunnel walls is also carried out. This involves the setting up of deformation points, which are regularly checked for position and movement. Any movement or misalignment will be registered. A 24-hour hotline and emergency response is in place.