Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I have recently decided that the air accident investigation unit of my Department, the railway accident investigation unit within the Railway Safety Commission, and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board should be located together. The Government has recently accepted, as part of its decentralisation programme, that Drogheda should be the location for these functions. Furthermore, I have asked officials in my Department to look at integrating these functions and the issues arising.

The Garda investigates road traffic accidents, including those involving public transport vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts. I have no plans to change the statutory role of the Garda in that regard.

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