Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I would like to point out that the planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned, in this case Dublin City Council. The Minister for Transport is, of course, anxious that the Dublin Port tunnel is completed as soon as possible and successfully commissioned into the overall road network for the Dublin area.

As we know, the design and build contract was awarded in 2000 to Nishimatsu-Mowlem-lrishenco, NMI, a Japanese, British and Irish consortium. Construction supervision is provided by Brown and Root Limited, an internationally known company in that regard. The scheme is managed on site by a Dublin City Council team.

The Dublin Port tunnel will run from the M1 motorway to Dublin Port. It is approximately 5.6 km in length, of which 4.5 km will be in tunnel. Progress continues to be made on the construction of the tunnel. The civil engineering work within the tunnel has now been largely completed and the main focus of work has shifted to the installation of the mechanical and electrical systems which make up the safety and control features of the project. The tunnel is expected to be completed and open later in the year. The total estimated cost remains at €751 million, which has been the estimate for some time.

As Dublin City Council has publicly stated, the tunnel is a major infrastructural project and its construction involves many challenges every day. The construction work has been monitored in detail since the project commenced in 2001. Design and construction is monitored by the construction supervisors appointed by Dublin City Council. When problems arise, as they inevitably and routinely do with projects of this size, the council and its construction supervisors ensure they are detected and rectified.

The Minister for Transport understands from Dublin City Council that the recent leaks are part and parcel of the issues that arise on large engineering projects such as the tunnel. If remedial measures are called for at any stage, the contractor is required to implement them at its own expense.

The Minister also understands from Dublin City Council that contrary to the impression that may have been created, the leaks have no safety implications, either for the workers on the tunnel, for the structural integrity of the project or for the buildings and houses above the tunnel. Some people, including Members of the Oireachtas, who engage in scare tactics almost on a weekly basis in trying to promote themselves rather than anything else, should reflect on their words and how they might be perceived by those who live near the tunnel.

The items in question do not have any cost implications for the project as they are being paid for by the contractor. Measures to remedy the leaks are ongoing with the support of specialist subcontractors and are expected to be completed within weeks.

As a major new element in the road network, the Dublin Port tunnel will have a major beneficial impact on traffic flow in the Dublin area. It will be of particular benefit in facilitating improved access to the port for heavy goods vehicles while reducing HGV traffic from the city. The Government is conscious of the issues that will arise following the completion of the tunnel and pending the upgrade of the M50.

The Minister and his Department are consulting with all stakeholders to ensure that a co-ordinated traffic management strategy is developed for the opening of the tunnel. As part of this process, the council is preparing a HGV traffic management plan to ensure optimum use of the tunnel.

We talk all the time about the need for major infrastructural projects and we all accept they are required. We probably do not have a history of having so many of them. The reason they attract so much attention from the media and others is perhaps due to the novelty factor. These are major projects and small problems, such as this, arise presumably on an ongoing basis. Experts are carrying out the work and there are expert supervisors. I am sure they will get it right quickly. Some of these things look dramatic on television but I am inclined to think the attention is due to the novelty factor. Professional people are overseeing the work.

The Senator mentioned the issue of health and safety. I visited the tunnel once and it seemed health and safety are given a high priority. There were many health and safety people around — perhaps too many. I look forward to later in the year when this project is finished. I hope we learn much from it and that when it comes to constructing the metro, we will have matured in our thinking rather than requiring that everything look wonderful from day one. This project is being professionally carried out and I hope it will be finished shortly.