Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

The Minister is aware that there have been a number of high profile accidents recently and no doubt we will receive a report on them in due course. Is anyone in the Minister's Department carrying out an overview of these accidents and what caused them? Is the Minister aware that some Dublin Bus drivers are regularly clocking up to 90 hours plus per week? Others have medical certificates stating that they are unfit for driving work, yet they are being pressurised daily to undertake such work. Does the Minister have any view on this matter? Is he satisfied that cost-cutting, particularly on bus maintenance, is not endangering passenger and driver safety? How often do health and safety officers call to maintenance depots and is prior notice given before their arrival?

Concerns have been expressed about the use of substandard seats on Dublin Bus vehicles, which have caused serious back injuries to many drivers and miscarriages for pregnant women, fuel fumes in the lower decks of buses and faulty brakes prompting drivers' fears of brakes going on fire. Is the Minister aware of any of these issues? I have received correspondence about these matters and I understand that similar letters have also been sent to Ministers and other Deputies. We never hear the Government's view on these issues, however.

An overall investigation is needed into public transport safety. During the summer recess the Minister's Department should investigate this whole area, including the concerns I have raised. Perhaps answers could be provided not only to me but also to the Joint Committee on Transport.

There is growing concern among drivers about the pressure under which they are working. I am not sure if this matter comes within the Minister's remit, but it affects drivers and their passengers. Will the Minister bring together a number of people to investigate these matters? The request is a reasonable one given that a number of serious accidents have occurred recently involving buses.

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