Vol. 496 No. 3
89 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether the successful conclusion of the viability plan talks in CIE will be assisted if officials from her Department became directly involved in the negotiations in view of her decision to involve her special adviser in discussions with Dublin Bus unions on modernisation of Dublin Bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22663/98]
The restructuring negotiations in the CIE operating companies are a matter for the management and unions in the individual companies with the assistance of the State's industrial relations machinery. It would not be appropriate for officials from my Department to become involved in these negotiations and I have not appointed anyone to represent me in them. CIE did, however, retain the services of a change management specialist to assist the individual operating companies in achieving agreement on their restructuring programmes.
I have encouraged all parties to these talks to participate in a positive and constructive manner and have stressed the importance to the companies of a successful outcome. However, while the discussions are proceeding slowly I am hopeful that they will result in a successful outcome for all concerned.
