Public Transport Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2009

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Questions (36)

Joe Costello

Question:

29 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he has received any of the reports by the Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána, the Railway Safety Commission, Dublin Bus or Veolia Transport into the series of collisions involving public transport vehicles during September and October 2009; when these reports will be made public; if he will mandate the Road Safety Authority with an overarching statutory role in the investigation of all road collisions including those involving public transport vehicles along the lines of the outstanding role played in marine collisions by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39528/09]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The investigation of collisions on the road is a matter for An Garda Siochana. Neither my Department nor the RSA have a function in this area and I have no plans to change that.

Road traffic accidents involving light rail trams are also subject to investigation by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Safety Act 2005.

In relation to the accidents referred to by the Deputy I understand that both Dublin Bus and Veolia are, in addition to the Garda investigation, conducting their own internal investigations. It is a matter for the companies concerned whether or not to publish these internal reports when available. The report of the investigation being carried out by the independent Rail Accident Investigation Unit into the accident involving a Luas tram and a Dublin Bus vehicle will in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Safety Act be published.