asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the circumstances in which Michael Nolan was knocked down and killed by motor bus No. YI. 1570, on the 29th June, 1928; whether he has received any request from the coroner, on behalf of the jury, asking that more supervision be exercised with regard to the speed of buses, especially at night, and that proposals for legislation to that effect be introduced; and whether he will now state what steps it is proposed to take in the matter.
(CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS). (ORAL ANSWERS). - SUPERVISION OF MOTOR BUS TRAFFIC.
I have received a detailed report of the fatal motor accident to Michael Nolan on 29th ultimo and am aware that the Coroner's Jury added a rider to their verdict suggesting that more supervision be exercised with regard to speed of omnibuses especially at night. The whole question of traffic regulation is at present being considered by a Committee; and their report must be awaited before legislation can be introduced.
Is the Minister aware that another fatal accident occurred within eight days of the date of Nolan's death and within five hundred yards of the spot where Nolan was killed, and has the Minister given any instructions to the Civic Guard in the area to take more effective steps to supervise bus traffic?
The Deputy must bear in mind that the driver whose car killed Nolan was held not to be guilty of negligence. Accidents will, of course, occur but if a driver be a man who has not been found guilty of negligence you cannot blame the Gárda for not taking steps to regulate the traffic.
In view of the unsatisfactory answer of the Minister and in view of the failure of his Department to take effective steps to control bus traffic in this area I desire to give notice that I will raise the matter on the adjournment.
Will the Minister state when the report of the interDepartmental Committee will be available?
I can not. As a matter of fact, it was not appointed by my Department but I know that it is sitting and holding inquiries at the moment.
Will the Minister explain how part of the recommendations of the Committee come to be published in the "Irish Independent"?
I have already informed the Deputy that it was not my Department which appointed the Committee. I do not know anything more than the Deputy about it and he had better put a question to the Department responsible.