Vol. 498 No. 3
40 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will accelerate the time span for the 15 year safety investment programme for railways; and her views on the need for further investment in rolling stock and equipment. [26621/98]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the 15 year safety investment programme recommended by IRMS in their recently published report on rail safety in Ireland. The consultants estimated that safety investment, costing of the broad order of £590 million, would be required over that period.
The consultants advised me that they considered 15 years to be the realistic time period within which to address all of the relevant issues. In any event almost half of the total estimated costs will arise in the first five years, and only £21 million of once-off expenditure arises between years six and 15. The bulk of the expenditure after year five is, in fact, ongoing expenditure of £20 million per annum on rail renewal, and £6.5 million per annum on safety management systems. This is continuing annual expenditure which will arise irrespective of the implementation period.
The Government has established 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 end January 1999.
