Vol. 517 No. 1
93 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that adequate steps are being taken to implement the elements of the IRMS reports on rail safety on the establishment of an independent statutory rail safety authority and inspectorate; and the timetable for the implementation and appointment of this body. [9050/00]
In December 1999 I outlined my proposals for a new regulatory framework for railway safety, including an independent railway safety inspectorate. These proposals go further than those envisaged by IRMS and have been welcomed by the consultants in the audit report published earlier this month.
Work on developing the necessary legislation is under way in my Department and it is my objective that the heads of a Bill to give effect to the new framework will be ready for consideration by the Government in the summer. I expect to be in a position to formally establish the new inspectorate next year.
In the meantime, the staffing of the railway inspectorate in my Department has been increased from one to three.
