THE HEALTH and Safety Authority (HSA) says it hopes the conclusion of the Navan bus crash inquiry will lead to higher safety standards in the transport sector.
HSA chief executive Martin O'Halloran said he hoped transport companies would now "re-examine the systems they have in place to ensure that vehicles are maintained to the highest standards of safety".
"The size of the fines handed down today sends a clear signal to all industry, but especially to those in the transport sector, that health and safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances," he said.
Judge Patrick McCartan yesterday imposed fines totalling €2.2 million on Bus Éireann, Meath County Council and bus service company Keltank Ltd for breaches of health and safety legislation relating to the crash in which five schoolgirls died.
Bus Éireann chief operations officer Martin Nolan said he wished to express the sorrow felt by the company and its employees following the incident. "The safety of schoolchildren, and all customers, is the organisation's highest priority," he said. "The company remains committed to constantly improving safety to ensure that the people in our care are carried as securely as possible."
Bus Éireann said yesterday that systems had not been robust enough to detect when work on an anti-lock breaking system (ABS) was not carried out properly and that it had taken corrective measures to ensure the checks and balances are in place.
The company's safety systems have been examined by international experts following the incident and Bus Éireann said it has implemented a number of measures. They include:
• External auditors are now engaged to carry out maintenance inspections on a minimum sample of 5 per cent of the fleet annually.
• Diagnostic equipment in garages has been upgraded as required and new mechanics have been appointed.
• An ABS register was implemented in all garages, including those of maintenance contractors, to monitor and record the checking and repairing of ABS as necessary.
• All school buses are now fitted with seat belts and every child now has an individual seat.
• Contractors' vehicles used on school bus services are now subject to random inspection by engineers and external auditors.
Speaking following the trial, Meath county manager Tom Dowling said he accepted the decision of Judge McCartan and said the authority did not intend to appeal the €100,000 fine.
"It's a very, very sad day for everybody concerned and our sympathies are with the families, friends and relatives of the children that died in the crash. We will continue to miss them all because they lived in our community," he said.
Keltank company secretary Sonya Kelly broke down in tears earlier in court when she expressed deep regret and remorse on behalf of herself, her family and all Keltank employees to the families of the victims.
