asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state for each of the years 1958, 1959 and 1960 the number of accidents which have occurred in the rail services of C.I.E., the amount of the damage caused thereby and the number of public inquiries instituted in respect of such accidents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Railway Accidents.
51.
Table No. 194 of the Statistical Abstract, 1960, which is available in the library of the House, shows the number of fatal and nonfatal railway accidents to passengers. railway employees and others for each of the years 1954 to 1959. The figures show no upward trend. Corresponding figures for 1960 have not yet been compiled. In reply to questions on 30th November last I gave very full information about accidents reported to my Department under the provisions of the Railways Acts in the year ended 30/9/'60. It has not been possible to compile corresponding figures for previous years in the time available.
I am informed that no separate record is kept of the amount of damage caused by such accidents, the great bulk of which comprises minor injuries to railway personnel.
No public inquiries have been held into railway accidents during the years 1958/'60, because none of the accidents which occurred was of a character which would warrant the holding of a formal investigation under the provisions of the Railway Acts.
The subject of railway accidents, with particular reference to derailments and diesel fires, has, however, been the subject of special examination by C.I.E. in consultation with the Railway Inspecting Officer of my Department, who has made a full report to me on the subject. I have satisfied myself that C.I.E. are taking all appropriate steps to minimise the occurrence of accidents.