To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects to receive the report of the statutory inquiry established by him on 14 October 2003, into the derailment of a freight train at Cahir viaduct; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Jan O'Sullivan. (Nominated by: Róisín Shortall).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 7th July, 2004.
Ref No:   20428/04    

Answered by the Minister for Transport (Séamus Brennan)

Reply

I directed the Chief Railway Inspecting Officer of my Department on 14 October 2003 to carry out a statutory inquiry into the derailment at the Cahir Viaduct earlier that month. I mentioned in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 27 May 2004, that the Chief Railway Inspecting Officer was awaiting certain technical information from Iarnród Éireann before completing his report.

That information has now been received and is being examined.  I understand that the Chief Railway Inspecting Officer is now finalising his draft report and will circulate it to affected persons for comment, before submitting his final report to me.