I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 17 and 37 together.
The changes at top management level in CIE must be seen in the context of the Government's overall policy in relation to the semi-State sector. The quality and cost of services provided by the commercial semi-State bodies is a major factor in determining the competitiveness of Irish industry and services and, consequently, the health of our economy.
In that context, the Government accepted proposals made by me for restructuring the top management of CIE in the context of managing policies for necessary change and major new investment in public transport in the coming years.
On 24 April 1995, I announced the appointment of a new full-time executive chairman of CIE.
I requested the former chairman's resignation to facilitate the change in the role of the CIE chairman which the Government had decided as a matter of policy.