Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Safety.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

125 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she is satisfied that adequate safety standards apply on all rail routes here on both commuter and provincial lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29991/01]

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

The responsibility for ensuring the safety of railway operations is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and is not one in which I have a function. Iarnród Éireann has assured me that there are adequate safety standards on all commuter and provincial railway lines.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of uncontrolled crossings in existence on commuter or provincial rail routes; the degree to which compliance with safety regulations can be enforced in such situations; the extent to which alternatives can or will be considered in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29992/01]

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

The responsibility for ensuring the safety of railway operations, including at level crossings, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and is not one in which I have a function.

Iarnród Éireann is prioritising its investment in level crossing closures and improvement works based on the findings of its consultants, Arthur D. Little, who were commissioned by Iarnród Éireann some years ago to carry out a detailed study of the safety of level crossings. Under the Exchequer funded Railway Safety Programme, 1999-2003, Iarnród Éireann is undertaking significant investment to improve the safety of such crossings.

I am advised by the company that at the beginning of the programme there were 1,621 unmanned level crossings on the network. Since then, 217 have been closed, 80 have had major upgrading work carried out and a further 150 have had significant improvement works completed. There are 1,404 such crossings remaining. Work on these level crossings is continuing under the programme on a prioritised basis. Iarnród Éireann advises me that the obligations in regard to the use of an unmanned level crossing rest with the user.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she is satisfied that all rolling stock on the commuter routes is sufficiently modern in terms of safety and comfort for passengers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29993/01]

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

The responsibility for ensuring the safety of railway operations, including rolling stock, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and is not one in which I have a function.

Iarnród Éireann received a report in February 2001 from consultants Halcrow Group Limited whom it had commissioned to review its strategy for controlling crowding on commuter trains in the Dublin area. The report noted that Iarnród Éireann recognised that the older slam door rolling stock is unsuitable for use on a modern commuter railway. The report also noted that Iarnród Éireann has scheduled the oldest rolling stock in use on commuter routes, that is, the Craven and Mark IIA stock, for replacement by the end of 2003, with the slightly more modern Mark IID stock being scheduled for reduction in use on commuter routes by 2003 and fully replaced by 2005. The consultants concluded that more rapid replacement of these vehicles could be achieved only with loss of capacity on key routes, increasing pressure on crowding and its attendant risks and recommended against removing older rolling stock from service without immediate replacement.

The consultants noted that Iarnród Éireann has in place certain special procedures in regard to older rolling stock and recommended that these should continue. The consultants also recommended a package of further measures for detailed consideration by Iarnród Éireann and I am awaiting the result of Iarnród Éireann's evaluation of those options. I understand Iarnród Éireann is satisfied that, pending replacement, older rolling stock is safe for use on commuter routes.

To address the current difficulties, the Government is committed to providing additional capacity on the railway network. Significant funding has been, and continues to be, made available to Iarnród Éireann for investment to improve the safety of the network, increase the physical capacity of the system and improve the quality, reliability and speed of services. In 2000, ten new DART cars were brought into service and an additional 16 DART cars have already entered service this year. A further 12 DART cars have recently been delivered and will go into service early next year.

In relation to the suburban network, 20 diesel railcars were delivered in 2000 for use on the upgraded Maynooth line. A further 80 diesel railcars are on order for delivery in 2002-03. The first of these is due for delivery in June 2002. Furthermore, the national development plan also provides for the acquisition by Iarnród Éireann of 20 new mainline rail carriages. I understand that Iarnród Éireann is currently evaluating proposals in that regard but that the board has not yet taken a decision in the matter and no formal proposals have been submitted to my Department.

The ongoing delivery of the new rolling stock will substantially increase the available capacity and also enable Iarnród Éireann to retire the older rolling stock.