MAINTENANCE of the Iarnród Éireann line at the Malahide viaduct was not subject to rigorous monitoring, a local TD has claimed, who has now called for changes to the inspection regime.

Dr James Reilly (FG) made his comments after questioning Iarnród Éireann officials at the Dáil Transport Committee. 'The need for a new inspection regime is obvious given the failure of the current regime and this should happen immediately as the people of North Dublin and beyond cannot be left exposed to risk for the 12 months it may take for the investigation around what happened to be completed.' He said the monitoring procedures must be overhauled and must be rigorously enforced in future to safeguard the lives of rail travellers. He said it appeared the inspection regime was ' insufficient' to reveal problems and even though there was evidence of a change in water flow to warrant a special investigation, rigorous monitoring did not take place.

He claimed that international consultants IRMS had recommended as long ago as 2001 that sites like the Malahide viaduct undergo regular monitoring of changes in the river and sea bed, which would necessitate underwater inspection by divers.

'I am particularly concerned that Iarnród Éireann did not conduct detailed inspections of the viaduct as soon as the local sea scouts reported concerns, days before the viaduct collapsed.

' The company conducted an inspection at the railway track, but did not use a boat to inspect the pier. Failing to do this was a fatal flaw in the Iarnród Éireann inspection regime and I insisted today that they must in future ensure rigorous inspections, including underwater inspections, to regain the confidence of the people.'