asked the Minister for Transport and Power in respect of the last twelve months (a) the total number of railway accidents, (b) the number of derailments and (c) the number of fires on diesel trains.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Railway Accidents, Derailments and Train Fires.
29.
Mr. Ryan
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware of the considerable public concern about the frequency of railway derailments and fires on diesel trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
Under the Railways Acts, a very wide range of accidents on the railways must be reported to my Department. The number of accidents so reported in the year ended 30th September, 1960, was 478 consisting of 391 personal injuries, mostly of a minor kind, 68 derailments, 11 diesel fires and 8 other accidents.
The great bulk of the derailments were of a minor kind involving goods wagons engaged in shunting operations. Seven passengers were injured in one main-line derailment; no other personal injuries were associated with derailments.
The diesel fires caused no injuries. The total number of accidents reported in the year is not greater than normal. Derailments and fires on trains have, however, been the subject of special examination by C.I.E. in consultation with the Railway Inspecting Officer of my Department. I am keeping in close touch with the position and I am satisfied that C.I.E., in consultation, as necessary, with the Railway Inspecting Officer, are taking all necessary remedial measures to minimise the incidence of these occurrences.
The accident figures are related to some 12-million passenger journeys per annum involving about 340-million passenger miles and to approximately 60-million loaded wagon miles per annum. Very few of the personal injuries, moreover, arose from train accidents and the figures include all sorts of minor mishaps occurring on the railway.