TDs voice concern over safety of Dublin Port Tunnel
Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport called on the NRA to provide a copy of a report on the design of the tunnel’s automatic control system which it has been claimed, raises questions over its suitability.
A report by Egis Tunnels which was highlighted on an RTÉ Prime Time programme last February claimed that tunnel operators, Transroute, often contravened safety guidelines by refusing to close the tunnel when problems with ventilation fans and safety cameras arose.
NRA chief executive, Fred Barry, acknowledged that the report, which examined the automatic control system in the €750 million tunnel, had identified “significant deficiencies”.
However, he stated that the NRA was already aware of most of these problems and had put improvement works in place.
“It was usually possible to continue to operate the tunnel safely before all the ultimate corrections were in place, by taking appropriate and effective mitigation measures,” said Mr Barry.
But Mr O’Dowd noted that the Egis report contained a reference to another report which also appeared to raise questions marks over the safety system.
During a series of heated exchanges with the NRA chief executive, the Fine Gael TD said he wanted to know in the public interest if the wrong system had been fitted in the tunnel.
Mr Barry said he was unaware of the report’s contents, although it had been seen by NRA officials.
He pointed out that 15 tunnel fans were still operating despite the fact that the safety system had been unable to monitor them in a well-publicised incident.
“At no time was the tunnel operated unsafely,” the NRA boss insisted.
Mr Barry angrily rejected suggestions that he had misled TDs and senators during a previous appearance before the committee last March by failing to inform them that Egis Tunnels had met the NRA over safety concerns and testing in early 2008.
“Every expert has expressed confidence with the tunnel’s safety,” he said.
However, Mr O’Dowd said he had to question the credibility of the NRA because of its failure to disclose such facts and accused Mr Barry of “just waffling.”
In reply, Mr Barry reminded the committee that the NRA had always been up front about the fact that the tunnel was closed whenever required because of technical difficulties.
