Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Nic Lochlainn for her presentation. This is the first time I have dealt with legislation and the heads of a Bill. Members may have some very important questions on the Bill or on particular heads of the Bill. I will be happy to take either-or. The Department has assured me that if there are any questions that members ask to which it does not have the answers, it will come back with them.

This is very important legislation. The record of Irish Rail drivers was exemplified by the driver of the train on the Malahide estuary some years ago when the lives of hundreds of passengers would have been lost but for his skill and capacity. As the line collapsed, he was able to go at the correct speed to get everybody safely over the bridge. I know many people who were on that train and how thankful they were for the professionalism of the driver concerned. There is an excellent safety record but there are issues that have to be addressed and this legislation is updating the legislation for drivers of vehicles, drivers of trains and critical staff.