Vol. 469 No. 6
154 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Education if she intends reviewing Road Traffic Regulation Statutory Instrument 190 of 1963, which was amended by Statutory Instrument 273 of 1967, to eliminate the special provisions relating to the number of school pupils who can be carried in view of the fact that these provisions are prejudicial to the safety of pupils as they provide for three passengers sitting in two seats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18012/96]
As the legislation to which the Deputy refers comes within the remit of the Department of the Environment, any changes to these regulations would be a matter for consideration by the Minister for the Environment.
However, I assure the Deputy that safety is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on its behalf. All aspects of safety, including carrying capacity, are monitored on an ongoing basis.
Bus Éireann's safety record since the inception of the scheme speaks for itself, and in that time, no accident has been attributed to the three for two seating arrangement.
