Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

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.

See this speech in context