Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Sep 2004

Vol. 589 No. 2

Adjournment Debate.

Job Losses.

Mr. Callanan

I congratulate the Minister on his new post and thank him for the great work he did as Minister for Health and Children.

I want to say a few words on the serious employment crisis in Ballinasloe. The town and the surrounding area have received another severe blow last week with the announcement by Dubarry that it is to lay off 40 more of its workers. This means that the production of shoes by the company will cease. It will retain 40 jobs in Ballinasloe in the distribution and research and development sections, but all manufacturing will take place overseas. It used to employ 200 workers. The recent announcement, coupled with the closure of the Square D factory last year, which resulted in a loss of 450 jobs, and the loss of 350 jobs at the AT Cross factory three years ago, means that Ballinasloe has lost more than 1,000 jobs in three years.

There is an employment crisis in Ballinasloe and the surrounding area. I call on the new Minister to make the town a top priority for new employment. I acknowledge the work that the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, has been doing to try to generate jobs for Ballinasloe and I wish her all the best in the Department of Health and Children.

Ballinasloe is a great town on the national primary route between Athlone and Galway. It is known for its great educational facilities, including Garbally College. It has a new secondary school and a new gaelscoil is being built. It has a new marina and new state-of-the-art swimming and leisure facilities. It has two great hotels, one of which is expanding, and planning permission is being sought for two more. The people of the town have set up Ballinasloe area development company and are doing great work in their enterprise centre where approximately 200 people are employed. I acknowledge other small employers who have expanded in the town, thereby providing some real employment. Ballinasloe's hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, is excellent and I compliment the former Minister for Health and Children on supporting it.

Ballinasloe has much to offer any industrialist who comes to it. It has a 25-acre industrial park in which a new factory is being built. It has the AT Cross factory and the Square D factory, which may be available for purchase, and a workforce that wants to work in the town. I therefore appeal to the Minister to do everything in his power to generate employment for us. I invite him to visit Ballinasloe as soon as possible to meet the Dubarry workers who are losing their jobs. I have every confidence in him and wish him well in his new Ministry.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

I thank Deputy Callanan for raising this important issue and for his kind comments on my appointment. The announcement by Dubarry on 23 September that it has decided to transfer the remaining production element of its operations overseas with the loss of 40 jobs is a devastating blow for those who will lose their jobs. I am conscious of the adverse effects that the loss of these jobs will have on the surrounding area, especially considering the closure of the Square D factory in January last year.

Finding alternative employment for the workers affected is a priority for FÁS and the State development agencies. FÁS has contacted the company and will make available its full range of support services, including skills analysis, job placement, guidance and counselling interviews and identification of training needs and courses.

Dubarry's headquarters operation, along with its expanding product development, quality assurance, marketing and design operations, employing up to 40 people, will remain in Ireland. I understand that Enterprise Ireland is continuing to work with Dubarry on new product and market development initiatives. The company feels that the outsourcing of the production element will help its overall competitiveness and this, coupled with the fact that it is continuing to invest in new product development and marketing initiatives, will strengthen it and retain the maximum number of jobs in Ballinasloe.

On developments in Ballinasloe, I advise the Deputy that the town remains a location of high focus for IDA Ireland for new foreign direct investment. Since the Square D closure announcement in January 2003, there have been 12 visits to Ballinasloe by potential investors. IDA Ireland has acquired 35 acres of land at Creagh on the east side of Ballinasloe and has developed it as a new business and technology park. The agency has co-operated closely with local private developers to construct a 27,000 sq. ft. advanced technology building on the park. The construction of a second advanced technology building is also under way at the park, and completion is expected before mid-2005. In addition, IDA Ireland has provided a site to the ESB for the construction of a power station to satisfy the electricity needs of new projects locating on the park.

I understand that the ESB is out to tender for the construction of this station.

IDA Ireland's investment in the park to date is in the region of €2.5 million. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland continue to work actively with their existing base of companies in the county and the Ballinasloe area to encourage them to grow and expand. As part of its strategy, Enterprise Ireland is encouraging companies to adopt new technologies to add value to their products and services. In 2003, the agency approved more than €5 million for development projects for its client companies in County Galway and by August this year had approved almost €4 million in project support. In addition, it is providing support for the appointment of a manager for Ballinasloe enterprise centre as well as supporting a one-year training programme for entrepreneurs in nearby institutes of technology under the enterprise platform programme as part of encouraging high potential start-up companies in the region.

In the area of telecommunications, Galway County Council and the State development agencies are finalising a proposal for submission to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the development of broadband infrastructure. The provision of this facility will assist in the marketing of the town for new business. The major decentralisation package announced in the budget includes 110 jobs, mainly from the National Roads Authority, to be relocated to Ballinasloe. This move demonstrates the Government's commitment to balanced regional development and will provide a further boost to enterprise development in this area.

The State development agencies are fully committed to ensuring an equal distribution of job creation opportunities and to encouraging the establishment of industry in the regions, in particular, the Border, midlands and west region of which Ballinasloe forms a part. I assure the Deputy that the State development agencies, under the auspices of my Department, will continue to work closely together and with local interests in promoting Ballinasloe for additional investment and job creation. I will keep in touch with the Deputy on an ongoing basis to make sure that momentum is maintained.

Dublin Port Tunnel.

Mr. F. McGrath

I congratulate the Deputies on their recent ministerial appointments and wish them well for the future. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accepting my request for an Adjournment debate with the Minister for Transport on the major problems in the Dublin Port tunnel. I want to raise serious concerns about what is going on at the port tunnel. I am also voicing the concerns of the people of Fairview, Marino, Drumcondra, Santry and Whitehall. There is a crisis at the moment at the Dublin Port tunnel. I call for an immediate investigation into what is going on. I have been given a detailed report on serious flaws in the design process as well as possible dangers to staff and local residents. This €750 million tunnel is now at risk and there could be a disaster in the area. I challenge the city council and the Minister for Transport to come clean on this serious issue.

The three crucial points in my complaints are as follows. First, the huge entrance and exits to the tunnel are unstable. Second, water has been seen leaking into the tunnel through openings. Third, experts state that the tunnel has design deficiencies. Parts of the controversial tunnel were cracked and leaking water, according to the consultants' report, a copy of which I have in my possession. There have been unresolved design deficiencies and the tunnel entrances and exits are now unusable. A note by health inspectors hired by Dublin City Council to oversee safety on the project has been ignored. The design deficiencies, cracking and the leakage in the tunnel are a time bomb waiting to explode. They should stop immediately and deal with the serious issues.

I am appalled that public representatives have not been informed on this issue. When I received the leaked document from the offices of the port tunnel, I was shocked and horrified by the information. The project has been beset with major delays. There have been soaring costs and debate about the building design.

I am also very concerned about the local residents in the area. We now have 173 property residents who have lodged complaints along the route of the Dublin port tunnel. Among the complaints are as follows. There are 112 cracks, 25 hairline cracks, 14 jammed doors and windows, three incidences of damage to roofs, four incidences of damage to plumbing, four incidences of damage to glazing and eleven other serious complaints giving a total of 173 complaints. These are the issues with which I deal every day on the port tunnel. Many other residents have lodged complaints on noise and disruption. I have the list in front of me and there is nothing to smile about regarding this matter. We have 173 complaints registered with Dublin City Council and I have many more.

I raise these issues because we were told that at the beginning of this project that these issues would not arise and that we were being alarmist. The concerns of the people of Marino, Fairview and Santry have been proved correct. The independent consultants have verified them and supported their views. I challenge the Minister to come clean on this issue and ensure the residents' safety as well as the safety of the 400 staff in the tunnel. I hope these issues will be taken on board.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Mr. Callely)

I thank Deputy McGrath for his kind comment on my appointment. I am delighted with my appointment as it is certainly a challenging task, especially with the infrastructural developments taking place. Today, I am trying to get a handle on my brief. I would be happy to give information to any Member on any project that is under way.

The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority and the local authority concerned. In the case of the Dublin Port tunnel, it is Dublin City Council. I am glad of the opportunity to inform the House of the good progress that is being made in the construction of the tunnel. Work has been under way on the tunnel since 2001. It is well on its way to completion and is expected to open to traffic towards the end of 2005. When complete, the Dublin Port tunnel will be of major benefit to Dublin city centre and especially to the communities that previously have had to endure high volumes of heavy goods vehicles travelling to the port. I am personally aware of that as it impacts on my own constituency of Dublin North Central.

The tunnel is part of a major investment programme in transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area. Together with an upgraded M1, a completed M50, Luas and upgraded rail and bus services, it will assist in improving traffic flow around the city. Deputy McGrath raised some serious issues. He asked the Minister to come clean. I assure the Deputy that I have not held back any information. I think Deputy McGrath understands that is the way I operate. I invite the Deputy to make a submission about anything on which he seeks clarity.

The tunnel has been planned and designed and is being constructed to the highest international standards. Safety has been a key objective in the design and construction. It will remain a key objective in the operation of the tunnel. I understand from the NRA that a safety audit of the project confirms that the Dublin port tunnel complies with the requirements of the recently adopted EU directive on safety in road tunnels. I am also informed by the NRA that the operating system for the tunnel and the ventilation and safety systems have been designed with safety as paramount. Measures to deal with accidents, breakdowns and fires in the tunnel are all being installed. Safety features associated with the scheme include emergency telephones, lay-bys, pedestrian and vehicular cross passages, CCTV coverage of the tunnels, a 24-hour manned control room and fire and incident detection equipment to mention just some. These features represent a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safe passage of vehicles through the port tunnel and are in line with the best international practice.

Dublin City Council has informed my Department that in ongoing monitoring of the contractor's designs by the construction supervisors appointed by the city council, some concerns regarding the design of floor slabs in the cut and cover tunnel sections were identified. A detailed review of this design issue is ongoing. If remedial measures are called for at any stage, the contractor is required to implement them at their own expense. These measures would be relatively straightforward and uncomplicated to carry out and by their nature would not lead to delays. Some leaks of a very minor nature and within construction tolerances have also occurred at some joints. As backfilling progresses over the segments concerned, the position is rectified. Dublin City Council has informed my Department that, contrary to the impression that may have been created, the tunnels are safe and stable. At no time could or have these minor leaks contributed the remotest possible risk to the health and safety of the workforce or to residents hundreds of metres away.

The tunnel's construction work has been monitored in detail since the project commenced in 2001. This monitoring of both the design and construction processes is how deficiencies, if they arise, are detected and put right. The quality control exercised in the port tunnel project is quite clearly effective.

The position in regard to the operational height of the tunnel is that the Minister for Transport will shortly be finalising a review of this matter. This review was commenced by his predecessor. I hope this reply is helpful and informative.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Dr. Upton

I offer my congratulations and good wishes to the Ministers of State, Deputies Callely and Noel Ahern. I wish them well in their portfolios. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Liffey Terrace consists of a small terrace of 11 houses and a public house at one side of St.Lawrence's Road in Chapelizod. The residences are approximately 90 years old and pre-date the modern sewerage system. This area is part of the Liffey valley and within the bailiwick of Dublin City Council. It is less than a mile from the boundary of the city and Fingal County Council.

I wish to highlight the situation now facing the residents of ten of the middle-terraced households. In August of this year, they received correspondence from their local authority giving them two weeks to pay €8,333 each to connect them to the public sewerage system. This threatening letter caused obvious distress and concern to all residents but, in particular, to the elderly pensioners who have lived on the terrace for many years. The ten households have now entered into discussions with Dublin City Council engineers to try to find a cost effective solution to their drainage problem. They fully recognise that they should be connected to the public drainage system. Indeed, it was the residents who brought this matter to the attention of the local authority in the first place.

The households on Liffey Terrace now share a common drain running to the back of their houses on land which they do not own. The land is owned by another party and the residents have an established right to use the land for drainage.

The residents propose to upgrade this common drain and provide connection to the public drainage system. Dublin City Council has now given its full support to residents in resolving this matter. I would be grateful if the Minister would give sympathetic consideration to allowing this group of neighbours avail of the group sewerage scheme.

A reading of the explanatory memorandum, GW60, suggests this group of neighbours qualify for assistance under the scheme. There is no proposal to carry out a public scheme to serve these ten houses and it is in an area that can be served by an extension to the existing sewer.

The residents are looking for assistance to cover part of the cost of providing a functioning common drain to run to the rear of the houses as well as other works associated with the scheme. They are willing to appoint an energetic organiser as well as a committee as outlined under the scheme. They are willing to contribute to the project as well as provide working capital to meet the expenses involved in the preliminary stages of investigation. The residents have started work in compiling a technical report on the best way to resolve this matter at the lowest cost to all. They are collaborating with Dublin City Council engineers.

Liffey Terrace is unique in the Dublin City Council area. It pre-dates the installation of a public sewerage system and is the last such group of houses in Dublin. In this instance, the application of the group sewerage scheme will not open the State to a flood of claims as it will not create a precedent.

An application under the scheme should not be ruled out on the basis of geography alone. It would be discriminatory to refuse such an application simply because it is on one side or the other of the boundary between the city and Fingal County Council. The residents are anxious to resolve the problem. They have co-operated with Dublin City Council and they are willing to contribute to making progress. However, they should not face the cost of the work alone. They should be allowed claim the assistance which is available everywhere else in the country.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

I have listened carefully to the Deputy's concerns about the situation in Liffey Terrace. I will outline the operation of the group sewerage scheme grants.

I wish to clarify that these grants are provided under the rural water programme. The Deputy will appreciate that, by its very nature, this programme does not apply to urban areas. The objective of the programme is to assist the provision of services where local authority water and sewerage infrastructure is not available and such services cannot be provided economically. The rural water programme makes grant assistance available to local communities to put such facilities in place on a communal or voluntary basis where they cannot be obtained from a local authority, usually because of remote location or the distance of the households from the nearest public water or sewerage mains. These conditions should not arise in a residential suburb of Dublin.

In addition to the foregoing, responsibility for the administration of this programme has, in any event, been entirely devolved to county councils since 1997. The Deputy will appreciate that in accordance with the devolution arrangements, all matters relating to the approval and payment of group water and sewerage scheme grants are now matters solely for county councils. Consequently the Minister has no direct function in the decision-making process as it applies to individual cases. Even if this was being pursued by the local authority, there is no proposal of any description before my Department from Dublin City Council.

Against that background, I very much regret that I am unable to be of assistance to the Liffey Terrace residents in the manner envisaged by the Deputy. In the circumstances, any arrangements relating to connections to the public sewer in this case will need to be resolved in ongoing discussions with Dublin City Council. That is where the solution to this problem will have to be found.

In rural areas where public sewerage connections are not available from a local authority, grants of up to €2,031 per house, or 75% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable where a group of householders come together to provide a common or shared sewage collection and disposal system. In urban areas it is a matter for individual householders and property owners to connect their premises to the sewers provided by the local authority.

I have listened to the argument put forward by the Deputy but it would appear that the prospect of finding a solution would be found in direct discussions with the local authority. If the local authority thought there was any way in which the Department could be of assistance, I am sure it would make a submission under existing programmes. I urge the Deputy to continue discussions and hope she will receive a more reasonable response at local authority level.

Dr. Upton

Fingal County Council has approved the scheme. Even though it is an urban area, I accept what the Minister of State says about the rural water scheme. It is an urban area of Fingal County Council.

Mr. N. Ahern

It is a matter for the local authority in any case. Dublin City Council may be used to dealing with cases which fall into a certain framework. The source for that information and detail is in the civic offices. I wish the Deputy well in her efforts. Hopefully, the local authority can be more reasonable. I understand the shock experienced by the Deputy's constituents when they received the initial letter.

Dr. Upton

I will pursue it in any case.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.10 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 October 2004.