THERE WERE terse exchanges between chief executive of the National Roads Authority (NRA) Fred Barry and members of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport yesterday.
Responding to criticism from Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd that he appeared not to know how much the €30 million Scada electronics management system in the Dublin Port Tunnel cost - or why the contractor "has not put it right". Mr Barry said: "I really object to what is being said here. The implication is that I should know every detail of every contract and there is something flawed, wrong, or negligent or improper in some way".
Mr O'Dowd said he had raised genuine concerns and commented: "I am very unhappy with your response and I find it unacceptable."
Mr Barry said safety at the tunnel had never been compromised. While the tunnel builder was disputing "virtually everything", the NRA would replace defective equipment and seek repayment from the contractor or failing that, an insurance bond.
"There are problems with the Scada system. We are following procedures to protect taxpayers's interests," he said. The committee accepted an invitation from Mr Barry to visit the tunnel for a full briefing on operational matters.
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