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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Other Questions. - Rail Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

46 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a report from the rail inspectorate regarding overcrowding on Iarnród Éireann trains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4413/02]

Iarnród Éireann has a statutory responsibility to ensure the safety of its passengers. It is therefore a matter for the company to satisfy itself that the number of passengers being carried in any train or carriage does not compromise overall passenger safety. I am advised by Iarnród Éireann that between 1994 and 2001 passenger numbers on InterCity services increased from 7.8 million to an estimated 11.3 million and on suburban services from 18.8 million to an estimated 22.7 million. I am fully aware that this has led to overcrowding at peak times.

In order to address this problem significant funding continues to be made available to Iarnród Éireann for investment to improve the safety of the network, to increase the physical capacity of the system and to improve the quality, reliability and speed of services. Over the past two years 26 new DART cars were brought into service and a further 12 DART cars delivered in 2001 will go into service in the coming months. In 2002, 20 diesel railcars were delivered for use on the upgraded Maynooth line. These new railcars have increased the capacity of the Maynooth line by 100% at peak times. A further 80 diesel railcars are on order for delivery in 2002-03. In relation to InterCity services, I understand that Iarnród Éireann is currently evaluating tenders for the purchase of 67 new main-line rail carriages and Deputy Stanton has put down a question on that matter. The ongoing delivery of the new rolling stock will increase the available capacity at peak times and should help to alleviate the present overcrowding difficulties. In the meantime, the three inspectors from the railway inspectorate of my Department continue to monitor developments in regard to crowding on trains and keep me informed on the matter. The inspectorate has been in contact with Iarnród Éireann on a number of occasions to draw its attention to the importance of keeping the issue of crowding under review.

Additional informationThe chief railway inspecting officer has also raised particular aspects of crowding on rail services with Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann responded on 24 December last and advised that the recommendations made by its consultants in 2001 to alleviate crowding on services in the Dublin area are being implemented by the company. In regard to InterCity services, Iarnród Éireann stated that it is considering expanding the pre-booking system using modern ticket reservation technology. Furthermore, Iarnród Éireann advised that its emergency plans, which include plans for evacuation of trains, are being updated. This update will also focus on issues relevant to the safety of crowded trains such as luggage storage and passengers standing in vestibules and gangways. Iarnród Éireann has assured the chief railway inspecting officer that every effort continues to be made to control the problem of crowding and that it is being managed by the company in a proactive manner.

I have advised the House on several occasions previously that there are no quantitative safety standards in place at present in relation to maximum number of passengers permitted on trains, either in this country or at EU level. The Railway Safety Bill, 2001, which I published last December, will require all railway undertakings, including Iarnród Éireann, to implement a formal safety management system and to describe that system in a document called a safety case. The Bill will require a railway undertaking to identify in its safety case all issues impacting on the safety of its operations. Such issues would include its strategy for managing crowded trains. The railway safety commission to be established under the Bill will need to be satisfied that the proposed strategy is adequate to ensure the safety of passengers.

(Mayo): It is one thing for the inspectorate to be liaising with the company, but has the Minister herself received a report from it with regard to overcrowding? If so, what did the report say and what recommendations are in it?

In several conversations and meetings that I have had from time to time with the railway inspectorate, these issues have been discussed. In the meantime the inspectorate continues to monitor developments. It has been in contact with Iarnród Éireann and the chief railway inspecting officer has raised the matter of particular aspects of crowding on rail services with it. Iarnród Éireann responded to the chief railway inspector on Christmas Eve and advised that the recommendations made by consultants for alleviating crowding on services in the Dublin area are now being implemented by the company. There is a whole lot of other things being done in regard to InterCity services. The railway inspectorate, Department officials and I frequently talk about this issue and have been in touch with Iarnród Éireann who responded on 24 December.

Deputy Stagg, if you have no problem taking a question along with Deputy Stanton, we will then have a final reply from the Minister.

I have acceded to your wisdom on many occasions. Does the Minister agree that the evidence of overcrowding on existing trains shows that the public, if they have the opportunity, will use public transport? Does she agree that the overcrowding is a sign that she has failed miserably to provide the infrastructure needed to accommodate the travelling public? Is she aware of the severe criticism of her by the Tánaiste for failing to provide the necessary public transport system? Does she agree that the Tánaiste seems to be looking for a new job, probably hers, in the next Government?

Tens of people and I were standing on the train to Cork which departed Heuston at 3.20 p.m. on Thursday, so I have personal experience of these matters. Is there a problem in the Minister's Department with funding Iarnród Éireann to buy mainline carriages? What is the blockage? Is it true that there is a breakdown in communication between the Minister and her Department and Iarnród Éireann with regard to funding? Iarnród Éireann has looked for funding, but the Minister has not provided it. When are we going to see new carriages on mainline railways?

The Deputy should take it easy. He will never last until Friday or Saturday if he continues like that.

To Deputy Stagg I say that I have been brilliant at getting investment for the railways.

The Minister has been brilliant and useless, like a lighthouse in a bog.

He left them in a wasteland.

The Minister is holding up investment.

To answer Deputy Stanton's question, the tenders are in for the InterCity carriages. Iarnród Éireann considered the tenders—

The Minister should do her job properly.

The Deputy should look at the polls in his constituency and do his job properly.

Are the tenders in?

Yes they are.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.

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