Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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553. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is examining changes to section 89 of the Railway Safety Act 2005; the rationale for these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50286/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Railway Safety Act 2005 is currently under review in my Department, including Part 9 (Intoxicants and Persons Working on Railway Infrastructure) and Part 10 (Offences by Persons Working On Railway Infrastructure) and this review includes Section 89. The rationale behind the review of the existing provisions in relation to intoxicants (drug and alcohol) is to identify any  revision, clarification and updating requirements and to modernise some terminology used in the Act, with a view to preparing proposals for legislative amendments.  As part of its work, the Department is commencing a consultation with relevant bodies including the Commission for Railway Regulation (which is the independent statutory-based regulator for railway safety in Ireland) and the Railway Safety Advisory Council (which is a statutory-based advisory council whose members are drawn from across areas of expertise and experience relevant to rail safety).