Denis Naughten
Ceist:1264 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that adequate safety standards apply in respect of commuter and provincial rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16681/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Safety.
Iarnród Éireann has a statutory responsibility to operate its railway safely. The company has assured me that all railway operations on its network operate to strict standards which are in place to ensure the highest level of safety for its customers and staff.
The Government places the highest priority on the safety of our railways and has continued to carry forward two railway safety initiatives started by the previous Administration. These initiatives, when complete, will greatly enhance the safety of our railways and give further comfort to railway users.
The first of these initiatives is the railway safety programme which was approved by the Government in March 1999. This safety investment programme involves investment of €546 million over the five years 1999 to 2003. Already this programme has seen over €400 million invested to date and has transformed many parts of the railway, replacing 246 miles of track with continuous welded rail, permanently closing or making safer 371 level crossings and renewing 228 bridges. Significant funding has also been made available for works to cuttings and embankments, fencing and improvement of safety management systems. I also intend to seek the approval of Government in the near future for the reconvening of the railway safety task force to make recommendations for a new five year railway safety investment programme to commence in 2004.
The second of these initiatives is the Railway Safety Bill which was published in December 2001. This Bill, when enacted, will modernise the railway safety regulatory framework by establishing a railway safety commission to regulate and enforce railway safety and investigate railway accidents. The Bill also places duties on railway undertakings, their staff and third parties and requires railway undertakings to put in place formal safety management systems.