Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 662: To ask the Minister for Transport if he received reports (details supplied) that concluded that there were faults with the safety systems in the Dublin Port Tunnel which could not be relied upon in the event of a major incident; if his attention has been drawn to their contents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38884/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he took on receipt of reports (details supplied) into the Dublin Port Tunnel's safety systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38885/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 664: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has documentary evidence that states all 46 faults in reports (details supplied) relating to the Dublin Port Tunnel have been fully addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38886/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 665: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will release the safety audits and reports on the Dublin Port Tunnel that were conducted following the July 2008 EGIS Tunnel's Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38887/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 666: To ask the Minister for Transport if the supervisory control and data acquisition and communications system in the Dublin Port Tunnel has been fully replaced, and not just upgraded, as was recommended by EGIS Tunnels Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38888/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 670: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the reason the Dublin Port Tunnel was kept open from 2006 to 2008 when at least two detailed safety reports stated that the tunnel's systems were not in a safe condition and could lead to dangerous situations in the case of a serious incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38892/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 to 666, inclusive, and 670 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads (such as the Dublin Port Tunnel), including safety related issues, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Neither I nor my Department have seen the reports to which the Deputy refers. I understand that the NRA has not and will not allow the Port Tunnel to be operated in circumstances which would compromise the safety of the public.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 667: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that a decision was taken to open the Dublin Port Tunnel when it was not in a safe condition at the time of its opening in December 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38889/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 668: To ask the Minister for Transport the person who made the decision to open the Dublin Port Tunnel in December 2006 despite it having safety deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38890/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Transport the additional budget he allocated to replace or upgrade inappropriate and failing systems in the Dublin Port Tunnel in the past year as was confirmed by the National Roads Authority on 22 October 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38891/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 671: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself regarding public safety in the Dublin Port Tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 667 to 669, inclusive, and 671 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads (such as the Dublin Port Tunnel), including safety related issues and the allocation of funding to individual projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

I understand that the NRA has not and will not allow the Port Tunnel to be operated in circumstances which would compromise the safety of the public.