Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Accident Inquiry.

Denis Naughten

Question:

174 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the findings and recommendations of the report of the inquiry by Iarnród Éireann into the tragic accident which occurred on 30 September 1997 at Slieve Corbally level crossing, County Roscommon; the actions taken to date in improving the safety of this level crossing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22043/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

The findings and recommendations of the board of inquiry established by Iarnród Éireann were conveyed by me to the Deputy in October 1998.

The board of inquiry recommended that the level crossing be examined in the context of a risk analysis of level crossings that was being carried out at that time by consultants A.D. Little on behalf of Iarnród Éireann. I understand that in their subsequent report, the consultants did not assess the level crossing at Slieve Corbally to be a high risk.

Nevertheless, Iarnród Éireann and Roscommon County Council did agree to put in place additional measures at this level crossing and the work was carried out by the county council during the summer period this year. The measures included resurfacing of the road, the erection of new warning signage on the approaches to the crossing and the erection of "stop" signs at the crossing. In addition, the road has been painted with yellow line markings to highlight the crossing.

Iarnród Éireann is in ongoing discussions with Roscommon County Council in relation to the level crossing and consideration is now being given to additional measures which may further improve safety at this location, for example, the installation of public lighting.

The Slieve Corbally level crossing has been visited by the railway inspecting officers of my Department on a number of occasions since October 1997 and will continue to be monitored. On each occasion the gates were found to be open and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to users of this type of level crossing throughout the country to please close the gates every time they use a crossing.

The issue of safety at level crossings generally is being addressed in the context of Iarnród Éireann's railway safety programme, 1999 to 2003. Under the programme, £88 million is being targeted at 602 level crossings across the Iarnród Éireann network which A.D. Little considered to pose the highest risk. Work on this programme is ongoing and, to date, approximately 140 of these crossings have been completed.