asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he proposes to introduce new transport legislation as a result of the McKinsey Report; and if he will make a statement outlining his proposals for the future of CIE.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Legislation.
19.
Government decisions have not yet been taken on the recommendations of the McKinsey Report. Consultations with interests concerned continue and in particular the consultant's recommendations for a new subvention policy for CIE are being examined in the light of the evolving common transport policy of the EEC. I am not yet, therefore, in a position to make a statement about future policy in relation to CIE or to indicate when new transport legislation to implement the recommendations of the McKinsey report will be introduced.
Mr. O'Donnell
Does the Minister agree with the opinion now being expressed in the light of our decision to enter the EEC that we will have to subscribe to Common Market transport policy and the McKinsey Report is therefore irrelevant?
Oh. no. That is far too sweeping a statement. I was in London last week in connection with this whole area of a common transport policy being worked out in Europe. It is very much in the embryonic stage as yet and the question of reconciling the recommendations of the McKinsey Report with what we can do in the way of financing public transport here is very much in the negotiating stage at the moment.
Mr. O'Donnell
Will we be allowed to take unilateral action here in relation to our transport system?
No, but at the moment a common transport policy, as such, has not been evolved.
Mr. O'Donnell
The transport policy is very advanced in the Common Market so far as railways are concerned. There are definite rules and regulations laid down.
We are in a different position because we are an island country as compared with the European mainland on which there must obviously be closer standardisation and rationalisation. We have various options open to us because we are an island.