Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Senator's perspective on this issue and I hope my response will satisfy him. Telling railway undertakings how often they should inspect and maintain their infrastructure and trains would be a very prescriptive approach. These undertakings are best placed to know how frequently such inspections and maintenance should be carried out. If we did prescribe these measures but were seen to underprescribe, we could find ourselves wanting and the same would be true if we were seen to overprescribe.

I support Senator Paddy Burke's view regarding the maximum carrying capacity. I draw his attention to section 69(c) of the Bill, which empowers the railway safety commission to make regulations restricting the number of passengers who are allowed to stand on trains. I hope this measure will be helpful.

With regard to hours of work and rest breaks, I expect railway undertakings to demonstrate in their safety cases that the working patterns of their safety critical staff do not contribute to an increased risk on railways.