The Minister for Public Enterprise has announced an independent review of rail safety in response to a recent series of derailments. "The time has come for experts from outside Iarnrod Eireann to look at rail safety," Ms O'Rourke told the Dail last night.
Following several recent accidents, critics of the State's rail network have claimed that the derailments have happened on older tracks on lines that have been given a lower spending priority than the main train links between Dublin, Belfast and Cork.
The consultants' report is expected to take six months and will look at the safety of rail track, rolling stock, signalling and level crossings. It will be published, and 12 to 18 months later the consultants will review how Iarnrod Eireann has implemented its recommendations.
Ms O'Rourke will also ask the consultants to bring immediately to her attention during their study any risk requiring immediate remedial attention.
Last night she acknowledged that in terms of fatalities, the safety record of Iarnrod Eireann was one of the best in Europe, and said she recognised safety was a "number one priority".
However, she said she shared the concerns about the implications of rail accidents for the overall safety of the railway system. It was for this reason she was ordering the consultants' study. She made the announcement during a debate on a Fine Gael motion calling for more investment in the State's rail network.
A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said last night that the company welcomed the announcement.