Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The information was known to the NRA. While the report offered the view that the Scada system should be replaced, all parties, including EGIS Tunnels, which prepared the report, agreed subsequently that suitable and adequate measures could be taken to address the problems with the existing system, and those measures have been taken. A critical assessment was given at the time. It got people talking, including those who conducted the report and that is the fundamental issue. Things have changed and people are now happy that the changes made adequately address concerns that were raised.

I draw the Deputy's attention to the statement issued by EGIS Tunnels on Tuesday, which makes it clear that both before and after completion of the report, mitigation measures were implemented that allow the tunnel to operate safely and, in parallel with this work, other improvements to the system were implemented. EGIS Tunnels also pointed out in its statement that in the period since March, the tunnel has not experienced any closures linked to performance issues, such as those reported earlier this year. In particular, it indicated that it is satisfied that the tunnel operator has taken appropriate and sufficient steps, then and now, to allow the tunnel to operate safely. These steps include the upgrading and replacement of the existing Scada servers, which have dramatically improved system performance, improvements to the equipment maintenance procedures to achieve better equipment performance and additional monitoring of the tunnel through the establishment of an additional dedicated manned CCTV monitoring station in the control room. This CCTV monitoring station is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is in addition to the two manned control desks in the tunnel control room, which are manned 24 hours a day. Other steps include additional drive through patrolling of the tunnel by operator staff and the fact that individual items of equipment have been, and are continuing to be, replaced with newer equipment with improved performance.

The NRA has assured the Minister that there is no discrepancy between this report and the National Roads Authority's comments to the joint Oireachtas committee earlier this year or, indeed, its comments to RTE. For example, the fans in the tunnel, when not controlled by the Scada system, were controlled by an independent manual system, which is outside the Scada system. The control of the fans in the instances referred to was via radio communications, rather than the Scada system.

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