Vol. 500 No. 6
18 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has finalised her consideration of the report from CIE in relation to its property portfolio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4580/99]
The report in question, which was prepared at my request, analyses the extent to which CIE property can be used for the funding of the company's extensive medium-term capital investment requirements.
The report was considered in the first instance by the high level task force on railway safety, established by the Government, to prepare a report with prioritised recommendations to address the issues identified in the Review of Railway Safety in Ireland carried out by IRMS.
The task force submitted its report to me on Friday last and I am giving it urgent and detailed consideration. The report includes a detailed five year safety implementation programme covering both infrastructure investment and improved safety management. It also makes recommendations on appropriate arrangements for the funding of safety taking account of the property report and of the non-safety investment needs for the railway.
I will bring the task force report and my proposals to Government at the earliest possible opportunity and make an appropriate announcement as soon as the Government has taken the relevant decision. Further consideration of the CIE property report will await the Government decision.
