Railway Safety Bill 2026
Public bill · Government · Presented
The Railway Safety Bill 2026 would put the Railway Accident Investigation Unit on a permanent legal footing and allow it to investigate accidents and incidents across all types of railway, including Luas, metro and heritage railways. It would also strengthen rules for safety-critical railway workers by lowering alcohol limits, introducing drug testing and updating Garda powers and procedures, while making related changes to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety’s records.
Formal long title
Bill entitled an Act to continue the Railway Accident Investigation Unit established in accordance with Regulation 4 of the European Union (Railway Safety) (Reporting and Investigation of Serious Accidents, Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 258 of 2014) and to enable it to perform the function of investigating railway accidents and incidents relating to any railway, and to amend the Railway Safety Act 2005, in particular in relation to intoxicants and persons working on railways, and to amend Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Last updated 7 September 2026
- Minister for Transport Primary
- First StageDáil Current