Madam, - As the designated "resident leader" for the Marino area in relation to liaison on the Dublin Port Tunnel project, I beg to differ with the interpretation of Mr Tim Brick, Deputy City Engineer, of what we actually think (December 24th).
We do not appreciate his and his team's efforts in keeping us informed of developments on the tunnel project - simply because they don't. Any information we glean is obtained only if we ask the correct questions. It is never volunteered. Any consultation is retrospective. We have never been invited to take part prior to any decision making.
There are now over 100 houses damaged; many are outside the all-important 30-metre "zone of influence" and therefore are not entitled to any structural surveys or building guarantees from Dublin City Council. A number of the damaged houses that are inside the zone have had to fight tooth and nail to get their homes repaired, despite the council's surveys and guarantees. I know of at least two houses with extensive damage which would require the families to move out for a couple of weeks while the builders move in, but the City Council is refusing to pay for the alternative accommodation, let alone compensate for the disturbance.
Dublin City Council and the tunnel contractors do not have any support or patience from the majority of residents in Marino. Nor is any good humour generated by the daily contempt with which they treat us. I suggest that Mr Brick sticks to speaking on behalf of the tunnel engineers. We can speak for ourselves. - Yours, etc.,
FINTAN CASSIDY, Secretary, Marino Development Action Group, Annadale Crescent, Dublin 9.
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Madam, - I see that Mr Tim Brick, Deputy City Engineer (December 24th), appears to be unhappy about my views on the Dublin Port Tunnel issue. He must have been living at the North Pole for the past 12 months. The latest figures on damage to people's homes have now risen to 103. There have been hundreds of other complaints about noise and disruption. I have made Mr Brick aware of this on many occasions.
There was nothing "good humoured" about the residents' nightmare of noise and cracks to homes. Mr Brick also uses the classic tactic of distraction by saying that I was "unfair to the men and women" who work on the Tunnel Project. My criticisms were always aimed at senior management and their contempt for local residents. The people of Marino, Fairview and Santry are all aware of this fact.
Mr Brick will have to live in the real world. People had genuine concerns about the construction of the Port Tunnel. They were proved correct. They have also other concerns on health and safety.
I will continue to raise these valid issues both in the Dáil and in the public domain. It's about time people like Mr Brick took their heads out of the sand and listened to the people on the ground. - Yours, etc.,
FINIAN McGRATH, TD, (Independent), Dáil Eireann, Dublin 2.