Vol. 517 No. 1
106 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a copy of a consultant's report in relation to concerns regarding the new Irish Rail rostering system for train drivers; if so, if she has assessed the contents of this report; and the response, if any, she has in this regard. [8714/00]
A copy of the consultant's report referred to by the Deputy was forwarded to me last month by the Irish Locomotive Drivers Association. The report, which was commissioned by the association, assesses new arrangements for drivers contained in Iarnród Éireann's, A New Deal for Locomotive Drivers. As I have indicated previously in this House, these arrangements are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and one in which I have no function.
The responsibility for rail safety rests with Iarnród Éireann and I have been informed by the company that it has commissioned consultants, Halcrow Transmark, to carry out a risk assessment of the new arrangements. Iarnród Éireann has informed me that the risk assessment is due to be completed by the end of next month. I have been assured by the company that the new arrangements will not be implemented pending their validation by Halcrow Transmark.
