WRITTEN QUESTION No. 614/99 by Patricia McKENNA European funding of Irish railways
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, EU aid, European Regional Development Fund, Ireland, operational programme, rail transport, transport safety

C 348/106

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

(1999/C 348/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/99

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: European funding of Irish railways

The European Commission has channelled millions of pounds over the past years into the Irish railway
company, Iarnrod Eireann, through the Cohesion and European Regional Development funds.

Despite this, a recent report for the Irish Government by International Risk Management Services explicitly
criticised the lack of a safety culture in Iarnrod Eireann as a serious threat to passengers and staff.

Given this situation, and the fact that the safety principle is enshrined in the Community’s transport policy,
what is the Commission’s reason for not having investigated the ways in which the Irish Government has been
spending European money on its railway network, to ensure that funds have not been misdirected into projects
which do not address safety concerns?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 1999)

The mainline rail development programme outlined in the Irish operational programme (OP) for transport
(1994-1999) recognises that much of the track and signalling infrastructure on the network is obsolete and
that the majority of the locomotive fleet is life-expired. Community assistance for rail projects in Ireland has
therefore been targeted specifically on addressing safety concerns.

Focusing on the key corridors radiating from Dublin, provision has been made under the Cohesion fund for
track renewal and signalling, and under the European regional development fund (ERDF) assistance has been
provided towards new rolling stock. Furthermore, following decommitment of € 150 million from the LUAS
light rail project, € 85 million was specifically reallocated towards improvements in the rail network. This
included actions such as mainline rail track renewal, improvements in Dublin suburban rail and DART
services, as well as platform lengthening to accommodate longer trains, all of which will help ease
overcrowding and improve the safety standard of the Irish railways.

The Honourable Member may be assured that the Commission is actively involved in monitoring how
European funds are spent in Ireland. The Community support framework (CSF) monitoring committee
monitors structural fund spending at OP and sub-programme level, and through the transport OP monitoring
committee progress is monitored at measure level. Likewise, implementation of Cohesion fund projects is
monitored through the Cohesion fund monitoring committee. Through the ongoing monitoring of the above
committees, all of which meet on a bi-annual basis, it has been ensured that Community resources have been
directed towards the intended projects, which have contributed to improved safety on the Irish rail network.

While there is undoubtedly much work remaining, it should be noted that following the International risk
management services report, the Irish authorities have recently announced their intention to commit
significant resources over the next five year period towards improving rail safety standards. Furthermore,
the Commission expects that further resources will be allocated towards tackling this issue during the next
programming period.

(1999/C 348/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0618/99

by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Fishing agreement with Iceland

With regard to the 1 000 tons UK quota of red fish and the fact that no factory trawlers are allowed, are UK
ships able to head and gut fish they catch?