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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 May 1981

Vol. 328 No. 15

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Buttevant (Cork) Rail Disaster.

36.

asked the Minister for Transport if he will state as a result of the report on the Buttevent Train Disaster the measures that are being taken to improve (a) safety and operational procedures, (b) manning levels, (c) the level of supervision, (d) attendance of personnel at refresher courses, (e) the up-dating and regular circulation of details of rail works in progress and (f) the standard of coaches and safety couplings.

I have asked CIE to consider the recommendations in the report of the investigation into the railway accident which occurred at Buttevant, County Cork, on 1 August 1980 and to take appropriate action, additional to the measures which they introduced immediately following the accident, to ensure that there would be no recurrence of a similar type of accident.

CIE are examining these recommendations, but the Deputy will appreciate that it would not have been possible for them to complete this examination in the short period which has elapsed since the report was published.

CIE have, however, informed me that since the accident they have undertaken a review of operating practices to check that the prescribed safety rules and regulations are being adhered to and that staff are fully instructed and clear on their application. CIE have also advised me that supervisors have been alerted to the importance of ensuring that staff under their control follow the required safety procedures.

I believe that CIE had their own internal inquiry into the accident. Could the Minister tell us what were the findings of that inquiry?

I do not think that there is any relation whatever to the question put down. I should be delighted to answer any question concerning the Buttevant accident but I do not think that this has any relevance to the original question.

Of course it has. We are aware of the official report but we have no idea what is in the internal report by CIE.

The internal report is a matter for CIE, but I cannot imagine what relation it has to the Deputy's question.

Can the Minister answer any of the specific points raised in the question itself other than (c) the level of supervision?

I give this assurance that as far as CIE are concerned maximum effort is made to make all rail services as secure and as safe as possible. That is their intention and they are taking every step necessary to ensure that result.

I have not really got much of an answer considering the detailed form of the question. Could the Minister specifically tell us that has been done regarding (f), the standard of coaches and safety couplings criticised in the report?

The Deputy is implying that there might be something unsafe about the existing rolling stock but that is not so.

Is the Minister joking?

I am not joking and I should like to put in on record that the highest standards of safety are practised by CIE. I would not like anybody to cast doubt on the fact that we have a very safe railway system which is used by millions of people——

Are CIE as responsible as the Government?

CIE are doing an adequate job and doing it well on our behalf.

Did the Minister read the report?

Yes, every line of it.

Is the Minister saying that the report is incorrect?

In what way?

In regard to the rolling stock.

What did the report say about the rolling stock?

Reference was made in the report to the quality of the carriages and also to the lack of the double safety couplings and I should like to know what has been done to rectify that.

That is not quite accurate and the Deputy knows that. If the Deputy refers to the section of the report which dealt with the rolling stock he will see that it does not suggest that timber based rolling stock are unsafe in any way.

It does.

It does not and if the Deputy read the report carefully he would see that.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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