Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Transport if a departmental review of the systems for checking and monitoring safety across the whole transport sector is taking place in view of the number of potentially fatal collisions involving public transport vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39529/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The regulatory and investigatory regime in place governing rail safety, administered by the Railway Safety Commission and the Railway Accident Investigation Unit under the Railway Safety Act, 2005 as amended, in respect of both heavy rail and light rail, is designed in such a way as to identify through monitoring and reporting mechanisms how improvements can be made to systems in the light of developments in the industry and reported incidents. I do not, therefore, see the need to undertake a special review in that regard and I am satisfied also that the regime is fully in line with our EU obligations.

Neither do I consider a review of the arrangements in relation to buses to be necessary. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for matters relating to vehicle testing, including commercial vehicles. In early 2008, I approved proposals from the RSA to reform the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing System. The phasing and implementation of the reform plan is under consideration in light of current constrained Exchequer resources.

It is also the case that since 10 September 2008 all professional bus drivers are required to obtain and hold a certificate of professional competence (CPC), which in addition to gaining the required certificate requires ongoing annual training.