Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Transport if remedial works on the port tunnel have been effective; if any examination has been done as to the reason leaking took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9449/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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. I understand from the NRA that dealing with water infiltration during the construction phase is part and parcel of the process of building any tunnel that passes below the surrounding ground water level. It is routinely encountered and dealt with on tunnel projects throughout the world and is being similarly dealt with in the Dublin Port tunnel. If remedial measures are called for at any stage, the contractor is required to implement them at its own expense.

The contractor on the project is operating a planned programme of addressing remaining items of work on the project, including carrying out any remedial works identified as necessary. The work is still ongoing and I am informed that all remedial works completed to date have been effective and satisfactory. The contractor on the project carries the obligation to complete the tunnel to the high standards set out in the construction contract and Dublin City Council and its construction supervisors will ensure that that is the case.