Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which favourable comparison can be made between rail services here and other EU member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27188/98]
Written Answers - Rail Services.
The Irish railway system has a number of unique features which make it difficult to draw any particular conclusions from a direct comparison with the rail systems of other EU states. These include the different railway gauge, isolation from the European mainland rail network, a low population base and few centres of high population concentration.
However, based on the latest data published by the International Union of Railways for 14 European rail systems, Iarnród Éireann performs very respectably; it ranks tenth lowest as regards State support per head of population, 11th lowest in terms of total costs per train kilometre and 12th lowest in terms of staff per train kilometre.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:81 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extra safety measures, if any, ordered in respect of services provided by Iarnród Éireann with particular reference to the Maynooth to Dublin route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27189/98]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the commuter rail routes in respect of which full public safety standards are being met; the routes which do not meet requirements; her intentions to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27191/98]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that passengers using the Enfield to Dublin commuter link do so in accordance with modern safety and health standards; the extent, if any, to which these standards or requirements are not being met; the proposals, if any, she has to ensure compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27192/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 83 and 84 together.
Day-to-day responsibility for all matters relating to rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. However, the Deputy will be aware from the recently published report entitled A Review of Railway Safety in Ireland, that the condition of much of the track, signalling and other infrastructure of Iarnród Éireann is poor. The report highlights 17 sections of track on which passengers are most at risk. This includes the Mullingar to Dublin line.
In response to the report the Government immediately appointed a high level task force comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance and representatives of CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann to prioritise recommendations on necessary rail safety expenditure requirements. The task force report will be completed by end January 1999. In the meantime CIE has begun 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 undertake borrowings to finance the implementation of the immediate safety measures.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:82 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the factors which limit the number of carriages on trains on the Kilcock to Maynooth to Leixlip to Dublin route; the extent, if any, to which she will make the resources available to address this inadequacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27190/98]
I have no function in relation to these matters. They are day to day matters for Iarnród Éireann.