Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Safety.

Ivan Yates

Question:

50 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the reason for the apparent contradiction between the recent newspaper reports concerning the IRMS monitoring report in relation to the rail safety investment programme where there were serious criticisms of Irish Rail and her comments to the Select Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport in December 1999 on this matter. [4022/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

The press reports which the Deputy mentions were based on the pre-audit work carried out by IRMS in August and September last year. I have already dealt with the substance of that report in reply to an earlier question today.

I am not aware of any contradiction between the findings of this report and my comments to the Select Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport in December 1999.

The purpose of my appearing before the select committee was to seek approval for a Supplementary Estimate in respect of funding for the rail safety work undertaken by Iarnród Éireann up to the end of 1999 as part of the approved Railway Safety Programme 1999-2003.

When introducing the Supplementary Estimate, I outlined to the committee the factual position on the work that had been completed by the company under that programme. In my written statement I also acknowledged the progress which had been made on the programme and the enthusiasm with which Iarnród Éireann had tackled the complex issue of railway safety management.