Sir, - Many people on the northside of Dublin are concerned about the lack of real debate on public safety in relation to the proposed Dublin port tunnel. We have all seen what has happened in the Gotthard tunnel fire in Switzerland. It was here that two trucks collided, sparking a fire with temperatures of over 1,000 degrees. It caused the roof of the tunnel to collapse burying an estimated 12 vehicles and further victims. Despite this terrible tragedy, we have not heard a word from the supporters of the port tunnel.
At the public inquiry, many of us raised public safety as an issue and were dismissed as alarmist. I have also raised this issue at our city council meetings over a two-year period. The question of public safety is causing concern and distress for many individuals, particularly the elderly.
It is also worth noting the extremely low offers of between £250 and £5,000 in compensation to the families most affected by the tunnel. People in Santry, Marino and Fairview have rights as citizens to public safety. The travelling public have a right to expect that all the best safety plans are put in place during and after the construction of the port tunnel.
It is up to all of us to ensure that what happened in Switzerland does not happen in Ireland. Let's act now. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr Finian McGrath, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.