69. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the railway safety (amendment) Bill; and when this Bill will progress further.

Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport: The primary purpose of the Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill is to amend the statutory limits for concentration of alcohol in blood, urine and breath for a railway safety critical worker and to update procedures for sampling and testing of workers for intoxicants (alcohol, drugs) and associated procedures under the Railway Safety Act 2005.

The Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill is included in the Autumn 2023 Legislative Programme as a bill for priority drafting and a General Scheme of the Bill is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Council (OPC) for formal drafting. My Department is engaging with the OPC to progress the drafting of the Bill in Q4 2023.