Vol. 393 No. 4
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the investigations, if any, which have been held into the rail crash in County Mayo on 24 September 1989; if he will give any preliminary results of such investigations; if, in light of this crash, it is intended to review the regulations regarding access by animals to rail lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has received a preliminary report, or a final report, on the Iarnród Éireann train derailment near Claremorris, County Mayo on 24 September 1989.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 24 together.
I expect to receive the final report of the Iarnród Éireann Board of Inquiry within the next few days. When the report is received it will be examined in my Department to determine the need for follow-up action or remedial measures.
The board of inquiry appointed to study the accident at Claremorris also has the additional mandate of examining the possibilities for eliminating, where possible, or reducing the hazards in the operation of accommodation crossings on the railway system. Since the accident larnród Éireann have been discussing with the IFA and the ICMSA the safe use of the accommodation crossings used by farmers and 95 per cent of all known users of such crossings have already been visited by railway personnel and instructed on the safe and proper use of the crossings.
Is the Minister aware that there are approximately 2,000 accommodation rail crossings nationwide and that as recently as last week there was another incident of a tractor in collision with a train leading to an unfortunate death on the lines? Is he aware that there are virtually no formal procedures for controlling the use of those 2,000 accommodation crossings whereas, in England, British Rail would not allow the activities engaged in by our farming community and others to be carried on their railway lines? For example, is the Minister aware that they have banned all crossings on their high speed routes on which trains travel at between 70 and 90 miles per hour?
We do not have time for elaboration. I would ask for brief, relevant questions.
Furthermore, would the Minister not agree that, as we near 1990, the ad hoc arrangements obtaining between our farmers and Iarnród Éireann are not sufficient and that we should seek immediate improvement in communications between those using the line and the statutory body?
I fully share the Deputy's concern. In fact, the figure for accommodation railway crossings is approximately 2,500. We have taken two actions: first, we have sent somebody to visit, as of now, 95 per cent of owners at all such accommodation crossings who have been reinstructed in their safe usage. We shall complete that programme very shortly. Second, I have instructed CIE, as soon as possible, to dispense with all wooden bodied carriages — although a very small number — they still use on the rail lines. I am satisfied that, in the short-term, that position will improve. I shall be examining longer term solutions to what is a very difficult problem.
Arising out of Question No. 24, given that this is a very serious matter and in view of the fact that the so-called Asahi express as it is known locally — uses this line continuously, can the Minister inform the House whether there was consultation between Iarnród Éireann, the ICMSA and the IFA in regard to the control of traffic on that line? Is he aware that, in the week preceding this latest derailment, the supporters of the Mayo team returning from Croke Park had their train delayed for a considerable period, again because of cattle on the line? Furthermore, is he aware that this is a more widespread problem than merely that referred to in this question? Lastly, will the Minister publish the report as soon as it becomes available.
As soon as I receive the report I will consider the latter part of the Deputy's question. In the meantime I should like to tell him that a whole list of suggestions has come to me in recent weeks about, for example electric fencing, special fittings for engines, special cattle grids and so on, all of which the Deputy will appreciate are complex, costly and must be examined separately and carefully. If the Deputy has any further suggestions I shall certainly examine those also.
