Results 1-20 of 23 for in 'Dáil debates' segment:1755148

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: Question 43: To ask the Minister for Transport when the railway safety commission will be established; if he has satisfied himself with the current arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/04]

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I intend to make the necessary order formally establishing the railway safety commission as soon as possible following the enactment of the Railway Safety Bill. With the co-operation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, I expect the Bill, which completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 7 May 2003, to be enacted before the summer recess. I am satisfied that the implementation of the provisions of...

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Minister for his response. However, it is now 12 months since we dealt with Committee Stage of this legislation and we still do not now when it will be progressed further. The Minister has established an interim commission. Will he outline the legal authority this commission possesses? I understand it has none. If this is the case, does it not make a farce of rail safety? The...

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I am working to have Report Stage of the relevant legislation taken in the House this session. The Deputy will be aware of why it was delayed. We had a considerable discussion on the inclusion of the intoxicants provision in the legislation.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: It was brought in the day before.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I have now cleared this with Government and will soon have proposals for the House on the matter. I look forward to discussing it with the Deputy when it is before the House. I do not have an interim inspectorate appointed. What I do have is a railway safety inspector, who serves as the interim inspectorate——

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: On a point of information, a Dáil reply I received last week states there is an interim railway safety commission which is supervising the RPA investigation.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: There is no formal commission.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: Exactly. There is no legal basis for it.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: No, but the chief railway inspecting officer of the Department of Transport has legal powers which are quite strong and serious. I take the Deputy's point that they are not strong enough, which is why the Railway Safety Bill is on the Order Paper. I agree with the Deputy that CIE should not investigate itself, nor should the RPA. The Railway Safety Bill, of which Second and Committee Stages...

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Gay Mitchell: What about motorcyclists and cyclists who touch their brakes on the tracks?

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I heard the Deputy make that point also. All those dangers exist and everybody should be aware that there can be dangers attached to any public transport system. I have asked the RPA to promote safety regarding the Luas. People must exercise caution and be aware of the safety regulations that apply to any new public transport system. I encourage them to do so in the case of the Luas.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: Is it not unacceptable that the RPA is investigating itself? The former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, was very critical of CIE and Iarnród Éireann investigating themselves some years ago. That is why the legislation was brought forward. One cannot have an organisation taking an À la carte approach to what issues it will investigate. For example, the RPA has decided not to investigate the...

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: That is not the case. The chief railway inspecting officer is fully entitled to carry out a statutory inquiry in accordance with section 7 of the Regulation of Railways Act 1871. Whenever the chief railway inspecting officer——

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: The legislation is inadequate, which the Minister has admitted.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: That is why the new Bill is before the House. The legislation requires strengthening.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: We now have an organisation with no statutory power.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The Railway Safety Bill, which is on the Order Paper, will give it the necessary powers.

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Denis Naughten: When?

Rail Safety. (4 May 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Report Stage will be taken in a few weeks.