Finian McGrath
Ceist:2. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding fire and safety plans at the Dublin Port tunnel in the event of a serious accident. [21645/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 May 2014
Ceisteanna (2)
Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)
My question relates to an important issue of public safety. We are great in this country at having tribunals after the event. My concern is to ensure there are adequate planning and preventative measures in place in the event of a major catastrophe in the Dublin Port tunnel. We saw yesterday the extent of the tragedy in Turkey, where a mining explosion occurred on Tuesday. I take this opportunity to convey my sympathy to all of the families concerned and the Turkish people in the aftermath of this horrific accident. Can the Minister offer an assurance that we are adequately prepared for the eventuality of some type of accident occurring in the Dublin Port tunnel?
I join the Deputy in extending my condolences and those of the Government to the Turkish people and the families involved. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme. The Dublin Port tunnel is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007. Safety is, of course, of paramount importance in the management and operation of the tunnel. I understand from the NRA that the tunnel is fully compliant with European Directive 2004/54/EC on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the trans-European road network.
Among the obligations set down in the directive is the organisation of safety exercises which are to be carried out at regular intervals. In the Dublin Port tunnel, safety drills are undertaken by the tunnel operator at three-monthly intervals to test the efficiency of the technical systems, the reactions of staff who control and manage equipment, and the co-ordination of intervention by the Dublin fire brigade, An Garda Síochána and the ambulance service. I am happy to arrange a site visit for the Deputy to the tunnel control centre and a detailed briefing from the NRA on the fire and safety plans that are in place.
I thank the Minister for his response and his invitation to visit the tunnel control centre. He may recall the terrible tragedy that occurred on 24 March 1999 in the Mont Blanc tunnel, where 39 people died when a Belgian transport truck carrying flour and margarine caught fire. At 10.53 a.m. on that day, the driver of the vehicle stopped in the middle of the tunnel in an attempt to fight the fire, but he was forced back by the flames from the cab. At 10.55 a.m., tunnel employees triggered the fire alarm and prevented any further traffic from entering. However, 18 trucks and ten vans were trapped in the tunnel. Most of the drivers rolled up their windows and waited for rescue, but the ventilation system drove toxic smoke back down the tunnel faster than anybody could run for safety. Drivers near the blaze who attempted to leave their vehicles and seek refuge points were quickly overcome by the fumes. Fifteen firefighters were also trapped in the tunnel, all of whom were admitted to hospital in serious condition and one of whom subsequently died.
That tragedy highlights the need to have a safety plan for the Dublin Port tunnel. The Minister referred to safety drills taking place every three months. That frequency is not sufficient and should be tightened. Human error is difficult to plan for, but we must have measures in place to deal with all eventualities.
The key issue when it comes to safety in transport, whether in respect of roads, aviation or the railways, is the need to be always vigilant and never complacent. The NRA has detailed to me the safety measures that are in place in the Dublin Port tunnel, which I am pleased to outline to the Deputy. The tunnel is equipped with an extensive range of safety features, including mechanical and electrical systems as well as optical and gas-monitoring equipment, in order to ensure a safe environment at all times for users. The tunnel control centre, which is managed and operated by specialist staff, monitors the tunnel 24-7, 365 days per year, through a network of CCTV cameras which covers the entire length of both tunnel bores. The control centre is in charge of all activities relating to traffic control and safety maintenance, both under normal conditions and in the event of an incident. Procedures are in place to cater for all aspects of tunnel safety, including the safety of users, operative staff and subcontractors, under normal operating conditions and in emergency situations, in order to ensure that any issues which arise in regard to the tunnel's operation, maintenance and safety are responded to promptly and efficiently.
The buck stops with the Minister on this issue, notwithstanding his reference to the individuals who bear responsibility on a daily basis. Following the Mont Blanc tunnel fire, 16 people and companies were tried on 31 January 2000, five of them for manslaughter. An Italian company had to pay out €13.5 million in compensation. The head of security was given a six-month sentence, the former president of the French company operating the tunnel was given a two-year suspended sentence, the driver of the truck was given a four-month suspended sentence, and seven other people, including the tunnel's Italian security chief, were handed suspended terms and fines. We must be vigilant to ensure something similar does not happen here in the event of a fire in the Dublin Port tunnel.
The Deputy's point is well made. When it comes to air traffic control and tunnel safety, the authorities look at what has gone wrong in other locations and the lessons that can be learned from that. I have visited the Dublin Port tunnel control centre myself and, as I said, the Deputy is welcome to do the same and receive a briefing from staff.