I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 16 together.
A scheme for alert and co-ordination of emergency services, and other organisations in the event of an incident—accident involving dangerous substances, including ammonia, in transit by rail has been drawn up by a committee operating under the aegis of my Department. That committee are representative of relevant Government Departments and agencies and of certain manufacturers using dangerous substances.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide a framework for the co-ordination of the actions of the various emergency services such as fire authorities, Garda, pollution control agencies and ambulance services responding to an incident or accident involving rail vehicles conveying dangerous substances or discharged vehicles or containers which had contained such substances.
The scheme outlines how the various services are expected to fit into a combined operation to deal with an emergency. It provides for the identification of substances, raising the alarm and rendering the site of an incident safe.
Exercises are held from time to time to test the operation of the scheme and the response to it. The scheme is reviewed in the light of the experience gained from those exercises. I am satisfied that the scheme is adequate to ensure that all necessary actions will be taken in the event of an incident or accident involving a train carrying dangerous substances.
Anhydrous ammonia from Marino, Cork, to Arklow is carried by rail in specially designed tank containers constructed to stringent international specifications. It is considered that the possibility of tank containers being damaged or any of the chemical leaking in an incident or accident is very remote. Trains carrying anhydrous ammonia are subject to extra stringent operating procedures. The Iarnród Éireann personnel involved have been given special training to deal with any incident or accident. The times of the trains are advised to the various emergency services along the relevant routes.
With regard to the carriage of dangerous substances by rail generally, I can assure the House that every effort is made to eliminate to the greatest extent possible all potential risks of accidents.