Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 2

Written Answers. - Rail Safety.

Jack Wall

Question:

69 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position in relation to the risks identified in the IRMS report, A Review of Railway Safety in Ireland - Implementation Review; the timeframe for the elimination of the risks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13412/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

IRMS identified 44 unreasonable risks in its review of railway safety in Ireland carried out in 1998. In the implementation review published last March, IRMS identified a further 11 unreasonable risks. Officials from my Department, IRMS and Iarnród Éireann have been in discussions regarding the progress of Iarnród Éireann in resolving these risks.

Of the original 44 risks identified in 1998, 32 have been resolved. The remaining unreasonable risks were the subject of priority work during 1999. In the course of this priority work it was found that the target dates for completion which were included in Iarnród Éireann's railway safety programme were clearly over ambitious. These risks are continuing to get priority attention and the company is in the process of drawing up a more realistic timetable for the completion of the work. I should point out that because of the particular nature of these risks they require a longer timeframe to address.

I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that a number of the 11 new unreasonable risks identified in the recent implementation review have already been resolved and the company is in the process of dealing with the remainder. I expect to receive full details of the work planned together with revised timetables for all remaining risks within the next few days.