Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - CIE Group.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

45 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will instruct her officials to become directly involved in the negotiations regarding the future of the CIE group of companies and the development of a viability plan for these companies in the same way as her Department officials were successfully involved in the ESB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22804/97]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Reasonable progress has already been made in the negotiations to which the Deputy refers. Both parties are participating in the discussions in a positive manner, assisted by the Labour Relations Commission, and a basis now exists to enable the negotiations to be finalised within the next few months. In view of the progress being achieved, I do not consider it necessary for my officials to become involved in the process.