Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

In November 2001, the cost of the Dublin Port tunnel was estimated at €448 million and it is now projected that it will cost €1.3 billion. It is very worrying that information from video cameras printed in a tabloid newspaper today shows that hundreds of gallons of water is going into that tunnel. It has been stated that the thickness of the tunnel wall is only one tenth of what it should be. Dublin City Council officials issued a reassurance last December that the leaks had been rectified. This news today is very worrying. In order to allay concerns and to give us the true, unvarnished situation regarding the port tunnel, I ask that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, come to the House to inform us of the position, to allay the concerns that exist and to give an indication of when the tunnel will be opening.