Billy Timmins
Question:59 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a report on the recent rail incidents at Rathdrum, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29766/01]
Written Answers. - Rail Accidents.
Liz McManus
Question:66 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a report in relation to the near collision of two locomotives with a passenger train in County Wicklow on 8 November 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29807/01]
Billy Timmins
Question:77 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself with the safety of the rail line through County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29767/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 66 and 77 together.
There were two unrelated incidents on the same stretch of track in County Wicklow earlier this month, the first on 8 November and the second on 12 November.
On 8 November two locomotives rolled away from Arklow station, entered the Arklow to Rathdrum single line section without authority and crew and on meeting an incline came to a halt approximately 3 miles on the Dublin side of Arklow.
A railway inspecting officer of my Department visited the scene the following morning. The preliminary information available from Iarnród Éireann and from the railway inspecting officer would seem to indicate that the incident gave rise to an unsafe situation which, had safety procedures not been activated, could have resulted in a serious accident.
The chief railway inspecting officer has requested further information on this incident from Iarnród Éireann, including in regard to technical and procedural issues. I have asked Iarnród Éireann to complete its internal inquiry into this incident as a matter of urgency and to provide a copy of its findings to the chief railway inspecting officer. I have also asked Iarnród Éireann to provide an interim report as a matter of urgency, indicating the preliminary findings of its inquiry and indicating the immediate actions, if any, to be taken to prevent similar occurrences on the railway network in the future. I expect to receive this interim report towards the end of December.
On 12 November, a maintenance train struck and broke a high-tension ESB power cable which appears to have been lying across the tracks a short distance beyond Shelton, damaging track circuit relays and some vehicles in the vicinity. I understand that following repairs the line returned to normal service on 14 November.
Iarnród Éireann will shortly begin an inquiry into this incident and I have asked that a report of its findings be submitted to the chief railway inspecting officer as soon as its investigation is concluded.
Iarnród Éireann have advised me that this line is being operated to a safe standard.