*To ask the Minister for Transport the difficulties he and his Department are experiencing regarding the delay in bringing forward promised legislation on railway safety. 

Answered by the Minister for Transport (Séamus Brennan)

Reply

During the course of an extensive debate on the Committee Stage of the Railway Safety Bill, a large number of suggestions for amendments were made.  My Department has been working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on drafting a considerable number of amendments to the Bill to take on board the suggestions made in Committee.

During Committee Stage, I also indicated that I intended to bring forward amendments to provide for criminal sanctions for people found to be intoxicated while working on the railway.  These amendments require careful consideration and also need to take careful account of the provisions relating to intoxication provided for under the Road Traffic Acts.

I hope to be in a position to move to Report Stage of the Bill at an early date and to introduce for debate at that Stage those amendments on which work has been completed.