Dan Neville
Question:35 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has scheduled meetings with the management of Iarnród Éireann. [29738/01]
Other Questions. - Ministerial Meetings.
Tom Hayes
Question:57 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the dates of her meetings with the chairman of Córas Iompair Éireann; the subject matter of her discussions with the chairman; if the expansion of existing projects or the development of new projects were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29705/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 57 together.
As these are both oral questions, not more than 12 minutes are allotted.
In accordance with the corporate governance guidelines for semi-State bodies, the chairman of CIE submits a comprehensive report with the company's annual report and accounts outlining all significant developments affecting the body in the preceding year and major issues likely to arise in the short to medium term. Apart from the annual reporting requirements, I also meet the chairman to discuss major developments affecting the CIE group. I have met him on the following dates since his appointment: 19 July 2000, 16 January 2001, 2 May 2001, 3 May 2001 and 24 October 2001.
Matters raised during the course of these meetings would include issues of a general strategic, financial, industrial relations and operational nature. I also have regular informal conversations with the chairman, sometimes by telephone. As my formal relationship is with the chairman, I do not have scheduled meetings with the management of Iarnród Éireann. Nevertheless, I have meetings with them from time to time as the need arises, for example, in relation to rail safety – I have met them twice to discuss rail safety. My officials also meet them separately on a regular basis.
(Mayo): In the Minister's meetings with CIE or Iarnród Éireann, has the issue of new carriages for Intercity services and mainline services been raised? Is she aware of the dismay and disappointment within Iarnród Éireann that, in the Estimates published ten days ago, finance was not provided for a single new carriage on any of the Intercity or main rail systems? Is she aware that the vast majority of carriages on the main lines are 35 to 40 years old and that they are uncomfortable, decrepit, run-down and the most substandard rolling stock in Europe? What therefore is the reason the necessary finance was not provided for even one new carriage for any of the mainline services, which are badly in need of upgrading and refurbishment, despite what she may have got for the city services?
It is obvious the Deputy does not realise the amount of investment and the 16% increase in investment—
(Mayo): Rail safety is a different issue.
It is a 16% increase.
Mr. Higgins (Mayo): Increases are no good. Where are the wagons?
The Minister, without interruption.
I advise the Deputy to watch out for budget day. It will be a good day.
(Mayo): We have heard that before but the horse must live for the grass to grow.
In relation to the mainline service, is the Minister, in saying that we should watch out for budget day, giving advance notice that we can expect new carriages for the Intercity service and the mainline service? I use the train a lot. Is the Minister aware that it can take longer to travel from Heuston Station to Westport – up to five hours and 40 minutes – than from Dublin Airport to Boston?
I ask the Deputy to be brief. We are straying from the substance of this question.
(Mayo): In relation to the meetings the Minister has had with CIE and Iarnród Éireann, has she had a request from them for a meeting in the next two weeks to discuss investment and other matters?
No, unless something has come into the office and I have not been told. There will be a significant Supplementary Estimate if the Deputy's committee can move itself. I understand there is some difficulty with that. There will be a considerable increase in the Estimates already printed, with more to follow. The Deputy asked if the board has sought to meet me. It has not.
At the Minister's next meeting with the chairman of CIE, will she consider raising the unfinished business of the mini-CTC signalling system? That was an integral part of the safety measures the Minister was introducing. As it has not been completed, does the Minister agree she should seek to have it completed, given that the committee has been gazumped by the courts? It is unlikely to reassemble again during the life of the Government, even if it runs to the last day. Will the Minister talk to the chairman of Iarnród Éireann to see if that signalling system can be put in place?
Again, we are moving away from the substance of the question.
I am looking forward to the next meeting.
Deputy Stagg's question relates to the substance of the question, which is about meetings with the chairman of Iarnród Éireann. I will undertake to say that to him. I do not know what the status of the committee is. All I know is what I saw on the television at 10 a.m., that it has decided to retire. I hope it can take the Estimates.
It is traumatised at the moment.