Estimates that the Dublin Port Tunnel may end up costing €1.25 billion, five times more than the original estimate of €260 million, should be investigated by the Comptroller and Auditor General, according to Labour Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan.

Current estimates for the cost of constructing the Port Tunnel stand at around €751 million. However reports yesterday revealed that a further €556 million could be added to this total due to additional costs that have been claimed by the construction companies involved, Nishimatsu-Mowlem-Irishenco.

Mr Broughan said: "It is remarkable that at this stage with the Tunnel already open to vehicles and the huge cost of the project, that the total cost of the Tunnel has still not been finalised or made public. It would also be an outrage if Dublin City Council and the Irish taxpayer are compelled to pay even more for this project.

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He said: "Since the Port Tunnel was first mooted the project has been hit by a series of delays, cost overruns, disputes between Dublin City Council, the National Roads Authority and the main contractor and question marks over the operation of the Tunnel.

"Transport Minister Noel Dempsey appears unwilling to take any responsibility for the Port Tunnel, even when safety issues were highlighted as on last month's Prime Time programme.

"It is therefore clear that the Comptroller and Auditor General Mr. John Purcell must now examine the financial and operational management of the Tunnel. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, I intend to request the PAC to initiate such an investigation through the C&AG as soon as possible," he added.

The Labour spokesperson said he also found it disappointing that the final stage of the original Dublin C-ring or M50/Dublin beltway, namely the southern extension of the Port Tunnel, has been allowed to completely fall off the Transport 21 agenda.

(VB/JM)