John Bruton
Ceist:16 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the recent meetings, if any, he has had with the chief executives of semi-State bodies. [17642/98]
Written Answers. - Meetings with Semi-State Bodies.
Contacts between the management of semi-State bodies and the Government take the form of ongoing interaction involving the appropriate parent Departments and Ministers. In addition, I am kept informed of key developments and issues affecting the operations of such bodies. This process works well and is complemented by meetings between myself and the chief executives of semi-State organisations as the need arises.
As I have stated in the House previously, a key Government priority in relation to the semi-State sector has been to maximise the conditions to enable such companies to be competitive and cost-effective in the provision of vital public services to the benefit of the consumer. Our aim is to have growing and healthy companies, serving the public well and giving high quality employment at home and abroad and I am satisfied with progress in this regard.