Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 2

Written Answers. - Widening of Railway Level Crossings.

Jim Higgins

Question:

35 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will propose the amendment of the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, in order to enable the widening of level crossings affecting access to farms and private dwellings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The Railway Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845 does not specify widths for gates at accomodation-type level crossings and it is not necessary to amend either this Act or other railway legislation to facilitate the work to which the Deputy refers.

The chairman of CIE has informed me that there are already adequate provisions by way of legal agreement between Iarnród Éireann and crossing users to widen existing crossings on a shared-cost basis. He has indicated that these arrangements have been successfully used for many years and were the subject of detailed discussions during 1991 with both the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.