Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm whether a school bus, which caught fire recently in County Meath, and was destroyed, had a fire extinguisher on board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19836/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann informed my Department that there was a fire extinguisher on board the bus in question. The incident happened in County Westmeath on route to Athboy Post-primary centre.

According to Road Traffic Regulations, every bus with more than eight seats, excluding the driver's seat, is required to carry a fire extinguisher.

The cause of the fire in this case is not known but is under investigation at present by both the Gardaí and Bus Éireann. However, I understand that the bus in question passed its annual roadworthiness test last August and that it was also checked as part of its routine maintenance programme last March.