asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of Ireland's interest in improved transport facilities to and from the Continent, he has had consultations with the French and British authorities concerning the proposed tunnel under the English Channel; and what views, if any, have been expressed by the Government on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Channel Tunnel.
12.
The Channel tunnel project is periodically considered at the European Conference of Ministers of Transport of which Ireland is a member. The project is still at feasibility study stage involving heavy financial outlay and it is still too soon to form or express any views on the implications for transport facilities between Ireland and the Continent. I have had no separate consultations with the French and British authorities on the subject.
May I ask the Minister how he can say it is too soon to express our views when some years have elapsed since a tentative decision was announced that there should be a rail tunnel and not a road tunnel? It is important that we should know the form the tunnel will take and, if the Minister has views on that, could he tell us what they are and could he tell us if he is expressing those views to the people responsible for the tunnel project?
The Deputy is a bit behind in this matter. It is only since March of this year that the financial interests involved have proceeded with the final feasibility study on the project——
For a rail tunnel?
——and final decisions will not be taken at all until 1973. There is a final feasibility study going on at the present time.
Could the Minister say whether this is with regard to whether they have a rail tunnel, a road tunnel, or a bridge? I understood they had come down in favour of a rail tunnel but have not yet decided to go ahead with it.
that is right.
Have we expressed any view on our interest in the matter? There are implications for us.
Of course there are implications, but there are massive private financial interests involved, a lot of them British and French companies, and they are not even quite certain that they are going ahead with it at all.
Have we expressed a view on the from the tunnel or bridge should take if those involved go ahead with it? Just answer that question.
Our approach is to await the final feasibility study which is testing all the decisions taken heretofore in the matter.
Will the Minister stop dodging? Did the Government make any representations? Yes or no?
The Deputy does not understand.
Yes or no?
The Deputy does no understand what a feasibility study means. If the Deputy thinks he is in kindergarten now and problems like this can be answered "Yes" or "No", then he has another think coming.
So the answer is: No, we have not expressed a view.
The answer is neither "Yes" nor "No" because that is a kindergarten approach and this is an important problem requiring a responsible approach.