Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure the availability of seatbelts in the public transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21541/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union has developed proposals to extend the requirement for safety belts to be fitted to all seats in all new vehicles, except for buses used on stage stop routes. Following the approval of the proposals by the European Parliament last month, the way is now open for their early adoption as directives so that new buses, including school buses, being registered from a date to be settled will require to be fitted with safety belts.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that adequate safety standards apply on all trains and buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21542/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This Government places the highest priority on the safety of our public transport systems. Iarnród Éireann has a statutory responsibility to manage its railway safely. The company has assured me that all railway services on its network operate to strict standards, which are in place to ensure the highest level of safety for its customers and staff. Any safety issues coming to the attention of inspectors of my Department are followed up with Iarnród Éireann and appropriate action taken.

I am providing unprecedented levels of funding to ensure that Iarnród Éireann can fulfil its statutory duty to operate a safe railway. Over the ten-year period from 1999 to 2008, almost €1.2 billion will be invested in the infrastructure and safety management systems of Iarnród Éireann. All significant new infrastructure works on the Iarnród Éireann railway, such as new lines, bridges, signalling systems, etc., must by law be approved by inspectors of my Department before being brought into operation. In practice, Iarnród Éireann liaises with my inspectors from the planning stage of such projects. This ensures the maximum level of public safety.

With regard to Luas, prior to the commencement of services last year, inspectors of my Department satisfied themselves, in accordance with the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, that the infrastructure, rolling stock and safety systems were adequate. My inspectors continue to monitor developments and take appropriate action as the need arises.

When enacted, the Railway Safety Bill 2001 will put in place more modernised and strengthened systems for the regulation of railway safety. This will include the establishment of a railway safety commission to regulate and enforce railway safety and a railway incident investigation unit to investigate railway accidents. I expect to bring this Bill back to the House in the autumn session and have it enacted before year end. As regards safety standards on buses, I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 26 of today's date.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for a metro; the areas most likely to be served by such a service, having particular regard to the commuter towns throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21545/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport. The Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a detailed business case for a metro from the city centre to Dublin Airport while Iarnród Éireann submitted proposals last July for an integrated rail network in the greater Dublin area. The proposals from Iarnród Éireann include the electrification of the Kildare, northern and Maynooth lines and an interconnector tunnel linking Heuston Station to the Docklands to enable greater integration of rail services. While the Railway Procurement Agency has suggested a number of routes for the proposed metro, a final decision will be subject to a statutory approval process which includes a public inquiry.

In the light of the announcement by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of agreement in principle to a ten-year capital investment envelope for transport, work is under way in my Department on a ten-year transport investment framework. An outline of the draft investment framework is currently under active consideration by the Cabinet committee on infrastructure, housing and PPPs. I intend to bring proposals to Government in due course once the Cabinet committee has concluded its work.