[Mark Gleeson]

The specific case of the pilot driver

1) Operates all empty trains in the station area, in and out of shed etc, this is why Dublin Cork services only go to Mallow as otherwise the Dublin driver doesn't get his full break

2) Will replace another driver in the event of an accident e.g. suicide on line

3) Will drive the rescue locomotive to assist a failed train

4) Will if necessary operate a passenger service to prevent a cancellation

The roster normally includes what is known as a spare link where there is driver on duty with nothing to do but fill in, given the shortage of drivers obviously they don't have one

Its very stupid not have this all written down, but if it has been standard practice for many years and no conflicting proof can be shown it has to be accepted as both sides agreeing.

On Thursday the driver was asked to take out a training train.
Three problems arise:
1) With no pilot in Cork who shunts and tests the Mk4 set from Dublin?
2) Normally a driver is rostered specifically to handle the training
3) The driver involved was not a mentor driver, was not specifically appointed by the company to supervise as they want. Mentor drivers get paid extra but are also fully responsible for those under supervision. The whole selection/payment/responsibility issue has yet to be determined

For several months several Cork Cobh trains have been cancelled and the driver redeployed on to Dublin Cork services, this is the much talked about flexibility Irish Rail talk about, moving to a service of a greater importance. Of course if this continues there won't be any service to Cobh at all. Point to note of course not all drivers are qualified to driver all train types

There is talk Irish Rail will withdraw the letter which started phase two of the trouble if that is the case 95% of services in Cork will resume quickly