asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIE have published no annual report since 1979; and when it is planned to publish annual reports for the outstanding years.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Annual Reports.
16.
There has been a delay of about 18 months in the publication of CIE accounts due to a technical difficulty which I hope shortly to resolve. The 1980-81 accounts would then be published.
In view of the large amount of Exchequer funds expended in CIE, the various controversies and questions that are continually arising about the expenditure of this money and the running of CIE, does the Minister not think that such a delay in publishing accounts is a serious reflection on the management of CIE?
I do not wish to comment on the point the Deputy has raised. The delay in publishing the accounts is not solely due to the management but has a lot to do with the fact that there were changes of Government and issues have not been decided. I hope in the near future to make decisions on the issues involved to allow the publication of the accounts.
Has the Minister any information on what the technical reasons might be?
I am not in a position to make a further statement at this stage but I hope to be in a position to make a statement before too long.
Would the Minister explain why it is that changes of Government should in any way impede the preparation of book-keeping transactions and the accounts of CIE? Would he not agree that it is a serious matter because accounts published many years after the event lose their value and are in a different context? It is very important that accounts be published promptly for that reason.
The Deputy is correct in saying that these accounts should be published promptly. I intend to act speedily to see that they are published in the near future.
I appreciate that the Minister obviously does not wish to give the details for official reasons and I do not intend to embarrass him. With the vast amount of money spent and the major arguments which are currently going on in relation to the budget and the capital programme would the Minister not be prepared to give some of the reasons? Is it a question of the Minister's Department not receiving the information from the board of CIE or is there a breakdown between the CIE management and the Minister's officials in that they are not happy with the money they are already receiving?
It is nothing of that kind. The technical reasons will become obvious when I make a statement on the matter in about a month's time. It would not be prudent to say anything else at this stage.
Can I ask the Minister——
We have had several questions on this matter. It is repetition and we are not getting anywhere.
This will not be repetition. Could the Minister be more specific as to when the annual report will be made available? He said "as soon as". I would like to know if he can be more specific as to when?
I hope within a month.