Safety body knew of Luas line flaws
Commissioner John Wellsby said yesterday his office was involved in the planning of the Luas project since 1995 and approved all stages of development before they became operational.
That remit extended to the public opening of the Green Line from Sandyford to Stephen’s Green at the end of June 2004.
“We were aware problems were arising and the approval that was granted for the system took that into account. It included a recognition that the problem was there, that it was not a safety issue and that it was being addressed,” Mr Wellsby said.
It emerged on Wednesday that material laid beneath the tracks to absorb noise and vibration was coming loose along stretches of both lines and that repairs would cost millions of euro.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), the public body overseeing the project, has insisted the problem is not a threat to passenger safety but they have been warned it could lead to a derailment if left too long.
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has ordered daily updates on the repair programme which is expected to get underway in the next couple of months.
AMB Joint Ventures will have to foot the bill, estimated at 10 million, as they have not yet handed over the facility to public ownership.
It emerged yesterday Mr Cullen was not informed about the problems until mid-2005 even though he was appointed to the department in late 2004.
His spokesman said Mr Cullen had received confirmation from the RPA that the problems with the Luas presented no cost to the public purse, no safety risk and minimal disruption.
The spokesman added, however, that the minister was being kept informed of all developments.
Meanwhile, the department is preparing to appoint the country’s first Chief Inspector of Railway Incidents.
The inspector will be independent and will make findings of investigations public.
Under an EU directive, the Government is obliged to have the inspector in place by April.
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