Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is less than a year since the tragic bus accident in Navan in which five young teenagers lost their lives. It is appropriate that we begin by expressing our sympathies to the parents and friends of the pupil from Killina Presentation secondary school in Clara, County Offaly, who unfortunately died and to those who were injured. I understand that the emergency services operated effectively and quickly.

Approximately 130,000 children are transported to school everyday by the transport service of the Department of Education and Science. Many thousands of other children travel to school using private bus operators, which is encouraged by the Department where there might not be sufficient numbers to warrant a full-scale departmental service.

Naturally, the safety of those children is of concern to all Members. Has the Taoiseach an up-to-date report on this accident and the tragic circumstances surrounding it? Does he have information concerning the mechanical state of the vehicle involved and whether it possessed a certificate under the relevant NCT? Is it the case that while this bus was not fitted with seat belts, private buses carrying school children to school are not required to be so fitted? Was the bus licensed by the Department of Transport and what checks, if any, were carried out in that respect? Does the Taoiseach have a report to hand as to how many children were on the bus? Were some children required to stand?

I understand that two inquiries have been initiated, one by the Department of Transport and the other by the Garda. Obviously, they will take some time to report. I am sure the Taoiseach shares my sympathy for those involved in the tragedy and the concern of the many thousands of parents whose children avail of privately operated bus schemes to be transported to school that the highest standards should apply and that a similar tragedy should not recur.

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