Bertie Ahern
Ceist:11 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach when he last met with the chairperson and/or chief executives of the semi-State companies; and the plans, if any, he has to do so. [13267/95]
Written Answers. - Meeting with Semi-State Companies.
While there are ongoing contacts between my Department and many of the companies, no formal meetings have taken place between myself and the Chairpersons and Chief Executives of the semi-State companies to date. The first point of contact with Government for each State company is through its parent Department and Minister. Each Minister is responsible for the bodies under his/her aegis, and for ensuring the delivery of efficient, minimum cost services to the public.
Individual Ministers are also responsible for pursuing the commitments in the"Programme for Competiveness and Work” and the Government's programme “A Government of Renewal” in relation to using the expertise of State companies to develop new business opportunities, products and services which will lead to commercially sustainable employment.
In addition, the Minister for Finance has general responsibilities for the semi-State sector as a whole in relation to issues such as public service pay, borrowings and related matters.
I am willing to meet the management of both commercial and non-commercial State bodies, where appropriate. While no such meetings have been scheduled as yet, I would envisage that as the Strategic Management Initiative which is currently being pursued within the Civil Services is extended into the broader public service over the coming months that such meetings will arise.