Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 1991

Vol. 405 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Transport of Dangerous Substances.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the amount of dangerous substances currently being transported annually by rail; the route most commonly used; if he has satisfied himself that adequate safety precautions are taken to prevent accidents; if these precautions fully comply with international public safety standards; if he will outline the procedures to be followed in the event of an accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

Apart from petroleum products, the annual tonnages of the dangerous substances acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate and liquid ammonia transported within the rail network total about 220,000 tonnes. Acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate trains are normally routed from North Wall, Dublin, to Ballina, County Mayo, via Portarlington, Athlone and Claremorris. These chemicals are transported from Ballina to the Asahi plant at Killala by road. Liquid ammonia trains are normally routed from the Irish Fertiliser Industries plant at Marino, Cork, to Arklow via Limerick Junction, Portarlington and Dublin. Routes and timetables of such trains are advised to the various emergency services.

Trains carrying dangerous substances are operated to special stringent rules and regulations and all persons associated with these operations are given special training. The maximum speed of trains transporting dangerous substances is 50 mph — 40 mph in certain places — for ammonia trains and 40 mph — 35 mph in certain places — for acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate trains.

All vehicles containing dangerous substances must carry appropriate information notices and hazard labels. In addition, there are barrier wagons on both ammonia and acrylonitrile trains which provide additional safety protection.

The tank containers and tankers used in the transport of dangerous substances comply with the International Union of Railways — UIC — specifications and the trains are operated in accordance with the Regulations on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail — RID.

A scheme for alert and co-ordination of emergency services and other organisations in the event of an incident or accident involving dangerous substances in transit by rail has been drawn up by a committee operating under the auspices of my Department. The committee includes representatives of Government Departments and agencies concerned and of certain manufacturers using dangerous substances.

The scheme provides a framework for the co-ordination of the actions of the various emergency services, such as fire authorities, gardaí, pollution control agencies and ambulance services in the event of an incident or accident. It also provides for the identification of substances, raising the alarm and rendering the site of an incident safe.

Under the direction of my Department, exercises are held from time to time to test the operational capability of the scheme. Plans are reviewed in the light of the experience gained from these exercises. I am satisfied that the scheme is sufficient to ensure that, in the event of an incident or accident involving a train carrying dangerous substances, procedures are such as to ensure maximum possible protection for the general public.

Finally, as previously advised to the House, a Bill to regulate the transportation of dangerous substances by rail is currently in preparation. This Bill, when enacted, will give legislative effect to the RID Regulations to which I referred earlier in this reply.