I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 332 and 333 together.
On-street running of tram light railway must comply with the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997) as amended by S.I. No. 98 of 2003 and S.I. No. 404 of 2004 and the associated road traffic signs and tram signals that have been prescribed for the on-street running of trams. Enforcement of the road traffic law is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
Further provisions for the on-street regulation of tram light railway including speed limits apply under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 and regulations made under it. To apply to drive a tram on a public road a tram driver is required to hold a valid driver licence that is issued under the Road Traffic Act 1961 i.e. a personal driving licence. A person who is disqualified under the Road Traffic Act for holding a driving licence is prohibited from driving a tram on a public road. There is no separate driving licencing category for tram drivers under legislation. The Public Service Vehicle driver licencing system does not apply to tram drivers. Arrangements and procedures put in place for tram operations are a matter for the railway organisation concerned.
A railway organisation that operates a tram light railway must comply with the safety requirements of the Railway Safety Act 2005 to submit a safety management document for approval by the Commission for Railway Regulation and is subject to the regulatory and enforcement functions of the Commission.
