Vol. 571 No. 1
1026 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the major disruption to people's lives during the construction of the Dublin Port tunnel; and his views on the new figures of 48 incidents of complaints from residents over the tunnel route. [19592/03]
1050 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason major projects such as the port tunnel are allowed to go over budget after a set price has been agreed; and his views on whether this is a waste of public finances. [20076/03]
1062 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to complaints (details supplied) made by the people of Marino and Fairview, Dublin 3, and Drumcondra, Dublin 9, in relation to the construction of the Dublin Port tunnel; and if assistance will be given to these residents. [20507/03]
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.
