Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Rail Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

143 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the gross overcrowding on the Dublin to Mullingar train on Friday and Sunday evenings; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that numbers of people are left standing in the corridors between carriages and in the guard's van; if this procedure is in keeping with safety standards for the carriage of people by rail; the proposals, if any, she has to improve facilities on this route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23918/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Under the Transport Acts, the question of assessing and meeting demands for public transport services is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann and its operating subsidiaries. I would also like to explain that day to day responsibility for all issues relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann.

I have been assured that rail safety is Iarnród Éireann's main priority and is of paramount importance in all aspects of the company's operations. In relation to concerns about the numbers standing on railway carriages, it is a matter for Iarnród Éireann's operational personnel to satisfy themselves that the number of passengers being carried in any particular type of carriage does not compromise overall passenger safety. My Department's railway inspecting officer has recently been in contact with Iarnród Éireann on the general question of the carriage of standing passengers on trains.

I understand that much of the difficulties being experienced by passengers relate to the Maynooth-Dublin section of the line and I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 36 and 129 of 10 November last where I dealt extensively with the investment proposals for the improvement of services on that corridor which should go a long way in alleviating the difficulties.