Written Answers. - Rail Network.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:
54
Mr. Deasy
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she will provide Iarnrod Éireann with the necessary moneys to upgrade the sections of the national railroad system deemed by the EU to be substandard to the point of being dangerous; if she will provide sufficient funds to bring the Waterford to Kilkenny line up to standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22681/98]
Liz McManus
Ceist:
69
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the main findings of the review of railway safety in Ireland commissioned by her Department; if funding will be made available to ensure the optimum safety of all passengers using all sections of the rail network; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22552/98]
Jim Higgins
Ceist:
85
Mr. Higgins (Mayo)
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she has received an essential safety investment programme from CIE seeking Exchequer support for railway investment, including the complete renewal of the track on the Westport line over the next four years, signalling, level crossing fencing and bridge improvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20817/98]
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:
127
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the proposals, if any, she has to ensure the highest safety standards are in place on the railway lines between Kilkenny and Waterford and between Limerick and Rosslare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22498/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 69, 85 and 127 together.
I appointed independent consultants to carry out a strategic review of railway safety earlier this year. The review was undertaken by a consortium of consultants led by International Risk Management Services. It is a comprehensive report and it addresses all relevant aspects of rail safety. The consultants' brief required them to consider the adequacy of Iarnród Éireann's existing safety policy, systems, rules and procedures and the company's arrangements for implementing safety rules and procedures on the ground. They also considered the adequacy, from a safety viewpoint, of the existing railway infrastructure and facilities, including track, signalling systems, rolling stock and level crossings. I have just received the report and have made copies available to all Members of the House. The report has also been published.
The consultants concluded that the condition of much of the track, signalling and other infrastructure was poor, while the condition of the rolling stock was, on the whole, satisfactory. The most serious deficiency highlighted in the report is a lack of a systematic approach to identifying safety hazards and prioritising and implementing remedial action. The consultants found that an encouraging start had been made at senior management level on implementing a systematic approach to addressing safety on the railway. However, they stressed the importance of improving the approach to safety management on the railway and of creating a safety culture that reaches every facet of the company's activities. The consultants emphasised that safety related investment in the railway infrastructure, while necessary, will not be enough. The company also needs to tackle the management aspects of safety.
The consultants estimate that a 15 year safety investment programme costing of the broad order of £590 million will be required. About £23 million of this needs to be spent immediately. The overall expenditure requirement includes about £230 million for a programme of improvements to rectify safety deficiencies in the railway infrastructure, that includes track, signalling, bridges and level crossings, about £60 million to improve safety management systems and £20 million per annum over the 15 year period for ongoing renewal of the permanent way.
The Government has decided to immediately establish a high level task force comprised of officials from my Department, the Department of Finance and CIE to prioritise recommendations on necessary rail safety expenditure requirements. The task force report will be completed by the end of January 1999. In the meantime, CIE is to begin implementation of the report's recommendations giving particular attention to the immediate safety needs identified by the consultants. Pending consideration by Government of the task force report, CIE will be authorised to undertake borrowings to finance the implementation of safety measures. I will also immediately begin the process of recruiting two additional railway inspecting officers for my Department.
Earlier this year, CIE commissioned A. D. Little to carry out a review of railway infrastructure covering only jointed track, signalling and telecommunications. Following the submission of the A. D. Little report to my Department, I asked the CIE board to prepare a railway safety investment plan. That plan will assist Iarnród Éireann itself and the high level task force in the consideration of safety investment priorities. However, the primary focus will be on the recommendations of the IRMS review which considered all aspects of railway safety. I should explain that the EU has not deemed sections of our national railway system to be substandard, nor has it any function in determining safety standards on the railways.
