Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rail Safety.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

106 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether her attention has been drawn to the recent report on rail safety commissioned by the board of CIÉ and which, according to recent newspaper reports, raises serious concerns in relation to safety at Heuston Station, Dublin 8; whether the electrical wiring at the station, which was originally installed in 1936, has been over-hauled as part of the recent upgrading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16684/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I am aware of the AD Little rail safety study commissioned by CIE which looked at the safety of jointed track and associated signalling systems and telecommunications. In relation to the signalling equipment at Heuston Station, the study concluded that, while it is not currently unsafe, action would be required in the immediate future to replace this equipment.

I met with the CIE board on 29 June last to obtain a briefing on the AD Little report and during that meeting I asked CIE to quickly prepare a detailed safety investment plan to address the safety issues identified in the report. I propose to bring this plan to Government as soon as it is ready. The AD Little report will also be considered by the independent consultants commissioned by my Department to examine all aspects of rail safety. They are due to complete their work at the end of September and I intend to publish their report.