Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1001 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the construction of the Dublin Port tunnel particularly concerning the dangers at the tunnel’s entrance, water leaking into the massive tunnel through openings, design deficiencies, safety of staff and local residents and senior management staff leaving the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra1021 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport if flaws in the design and construction of the port tunnel have been brought to his attention; if there is a delay in the timetable for completion of the project; if there is a cost overrun on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22852/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1001 and 1021 together.
The issues raised are a matter for the contractor, Dublin City Council, and the National Roads Authority. I understand from the NRA that a safety audit of the project confirms that the Dublin Port tunnel complies in all respects with the requirements of the proposed EU directive on safety on road tunnels. The NRA also informs me that the operating system for the tunnel and the ventilation and safety systems have been designed with safety as a paramount parameter. This ventilation system, along with a package of further safety measures including emergency telephones, lay-bys, pedestrian and vehicular cross passages, continuous CCTV coverage of the tunnels, a 24 hour manned control room, fire detection equipment, incident detection equipment, to mention just some, represents a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safe passage of vehicles through the port tunnel.
The NRA advises that the operating system for the Dublin Port tunnel is in line with the best international practice. Dublin City Council says that in ongoing monitoring of the contractor's designs by the construction supervisors appointed by the 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 its expense. These measures would be relatively straightforward and uncomplicated to carry out and by their nature would not lead to delays. Contrary to the impression that may have been created, the tunnel structures are safe and stable. Where small problems arise as they inevitably and routinely do with projects of this size, Dublin City Council and its construction supervisors ensure that they are detected and rectified. The tunnel's construction work has been monitored in detail since the project commenced in 2001. This monitoring of the design and construction processes detects and rectifies deficiencies, if they arise. The quality control exercised in the port tunnel project is effective and working.
The contract for the port tunnel, which is a design and build contract, was awarded in December 2000 in the sum of €448 million. At that time when land acquisition, construction supervision etc. were included it was anticipated that the all-in cost, including construction, would be in the region of €580 million. The construction period will extend to quarter 3 or quarter 4 of 2005 and allowing for the operation of the price variation clause over that five year period, the NRA estimates that the final outturn cost, including price variation, will be in the region of €715 million at current prices. The cost increase between the all-in cost at 2001 prices and the all-in cost prices in 2004 is attributable to the price variation clause which takes account of construction cost inflation over the period concerned including the costs of labour and materials. I am not aware of any staffing issues that will impact on the port tunnel project.
