Derek McDowell
Question:12 Mr. D. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the mandate, if any, given to the project management group within his Department on the restructuring of Telecom Éireann. [14833/95]
Written Answers. - Project Management Group.
The mandate for the strategic alliance process, which was approved by the Government last July, granted overall responsibility for the conclusion of the strategic alliance to me, as Minister. I have established a project management group under the chairmanship of my Department to manage this process on an operational basis.
The task of the project management group is to establish and direct the overall selection process and ultimately to recommend a suitable partner to the Government for final approval. The group includes representation from my Department and the Department of Finance, as shareholders, and Telecom Éireann. It is assisted by the consortium of advisers.
The alliance process cannot take place in isolation from the wider issue of restructuring of Telecom Éireann. The purpose of the project management group is to deal with the selection of a strategic partner. It is not charged with management of the change process within Telecom Éireann generally. That is a matter for the board and management of Telecom in the first instance.