andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether it is a fact (a) that an accident occurred on the railway recently in which a CIE employee was involved, (b) that he subsequently suffered the amputation of a leg and of an arm as a result of the accident, (c) that the locomotive involved was one of the short American General Motors diesel-electric locomotives which have been adjudged by the Minister to be operable in the public service in safety in the cab rear and cab forward positions, (d) that the engine was being driven with the cab in rear of the locomotive, and (e) that the driver of the locomotive did not know that he had been involved in the accident until he had completed his journey; whether an investigation has been carried out in this matter; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Diesel-Electric Locomotives.
It is assumed that the Deputies are referring to an accident which occurred on the 9th October, 1961, at Westland Row Station. The circumstances of the accident have been reported to me following an investigation instituted by CIE. The investigation has not been concluded pending the outcome of legal proceedings which, I am informed, have been entered for hearing in the High Court.
The engine in question was a General Motors B type engine with cab at one end only. The engine was travelling light at the time of the accident, and was being operated cab in rear.
As the matter is sub judice I do not propose to add to the foregoing information.
The safety of these engines was questioned, as the Minister knows, by me in the past. In the light of these accidents, would the Minister consider either withdrawing these engines from use or else adapting them in the way I understand it is proposed to adapt the new ones in order to increase their safety margin?
I think the Deputy had better wait for the Minister to come back.
I agree it is a six marker.
He will not answer it in any case.
37.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power in what way the proposed thirty-seven new General Motors diesel-electric locomotives are bigger than those at present in service.
The new diesel locomotives on order from General Motors will be 4½ tons heavier and 4 ft. 2½ inches longer than the General Motors locomotives now in service with CIE.
Is there any use in my asking supplementaries on that?
I might be able to answer them on that.