Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We should all share an interest in supporting this Bill because railway safety is of significant importance. I thank Senator Dooley for admitting that there were periods when the economy was not doing well and insufficient money was available to do all that we wished. In 1997, for example, the then Minister for Public Enterprise, Senator O'Rourke, secured IR£600 million to provide for safety on the railways even though not much money was available at that time. I will remind Senator Dooley of his comments when future claims are made that insufficient money is available to address child care and other issues. The times have changed and the strong economy allows to us to introduce measures that were impossible for previous Governments.

Regrettable incidents took place on the railways and, more recently, on the Luas. We must take steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur. When this Bill is implemented, it will greatly contribute to railway safety.

Senator Burke raised the ongoing safety issue of overcrowding among passengers. Such circumstances arise from the significant demand that exists for rail services. Health and safety obligations are being ignored on a daily basis along the Connolly to Maynooth line and many people are put at risk by being squashed into carriages. I know of incidents where people have collapsed, pregnant women have felt unwell and children were placed in danger. When large numbers of people want to travel by train, health and safety issues arise that will not be addressed until measures are put in place to protect passengers. People are concerned that trains are unsafe. Passengers on the aforementioned line also face dangers in terms of stone throwing. Concerns exist in such situations that a missile may come through a window.

In light of the recent terrorism incidents on trains and buses in London, what safety measures are being put in place here to reduce such a risk? While I hope similar events will never transpire here, we must be prepared for the worst. I would like to learn what precautions will be taken by the railway safety commission to prevent terrorists from causing mayhem. Has the Minister of State given thought to this issue?

What kinds of hazardous wastes or dangerous chemicals are currently being carried on our railways? Are major emergency plans in place to deal with an accident if one should occur? Such a plan should involve hospitals, the Garda and fire services. We must be prepared for human errors and other incidents because these can cause major catastrophes.

Not only must we ensure the safety of passengers on trains but we should also protect them as they enter and leave railway stations. Two stations in my area, Coolmine and Clonsilla, are located beside roads and bridges which were built when horses and carts were the main forms of transport. Such roads now carry enormous amounts of traffic, with which pedestrians must compete in order to board trains. The local authority has long sought pedestrian footbridges from Iarnród Éireann for passengers to access the stations. The Minister of State's officials might provide an update on measures taken with regard to these stations.

The provision of car parking facilities for train passengers is a growing problem. This is a safety issue because the shortage of parking spaces in many railway stations results in indiscriminate parking in surrounding areas. This legislation will provide for safety but I ask the Minister of State to consider whether the matters I raised can be addressed.