Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 44, between lines 46 and 47, to insert the following new subsection:

"(3) Where a member of staff of a railway undertaking furnishes relevant information to the Commission or an inspector—

(a) following a railway incident,

(b) which, in the opinion of the person, may lead to a railway incident,

the person shall not be subject to disciplinary or any other action by the railway undertaking.".

I have proposed this amendment to try to avoid lapses in safety standards and to ensure that any such lapses are not swept under the carpet. People who act as whistleblowers by reporting accidents or lapses which could cause accidents should not have any fear of being punished or disciplined for reporting such breaches in safety standards. The employees of railway undertakings might be afraid of being disciplined or punished if they report lapses in safety standards. This amendment has been tabled to try to prevent such people from being disciplined or punished in any way.