Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I took the train from Sligo yesterday and it was a very pleasant experience. If it was a little quicker, it would be better but it was pleasant nonetheless. I have a few questions regarding the general scheme of the railway safety (amendment) Bill. The witness said that with the amendment to the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the school transport scheme was inadvertently excluded due to the definition of a public bus passenger service. Why did that happen? It sounds like something simple. Was it just left out?

In the three years to the end of 2017, 710 employee tests were undertaken with eight positive results. None of the positive results was post-incident and all were dealt with under disciplinary procedures. I notice in Transdev, which is a newer company, that 246 safety-critical workers and four Luas safety-critical workers had positive results and none of these has continued in employment or returned to work for Transdev. Is there a different interpretation or how were the people in Iarnród Éireann dealt with compared to Transdev? Did they lose their jobs or was there a different procedure?

I find it hard to believe that until now train drivers were permitted to have four times more alcohol in their blood than the equivalent professional road driver. I know what this Bill is about but maybe we were not keeping our eye on the ball. I welcome this Bill.