Vol. 517 No. 1
52 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to modify or alter her approach to the day to day management issues within the CIE group in view of the letter she received from the former chairman of the company; and the further plans, if any, she has to break up the CIE organisation into three entirely separate companies as she is reported as proposing recently. [8712/00]
I have no plans to alter my approach to day to day management issues in CIE. As I made clear to this House on 7 March, I do not interfere in the day to day running of the company. However, I have a responsibility to ensure that the company pursues policies which are in the broad national interest and that the considerable public funding provided for the company is used effectively.
In my reply to questions on 15 February last, I confirmed that it was time for a fundamental rethink about how we deliver public transport services. In the course of my reply I indicated that this included examining the existing institutional arrangements and the relationship between CIE and its subsidiary companies. I subsequently indicated a personal preference for the establishment of the three CIE subsidiaries as independent companies.
This is a time of immense change in public transport. National economic development is in part dependent on the efficient and effective delivery of public transport services. The need to do this is all the more pressing, given the billions of pounds that will be invested in public transport over the coming few years. I am determined to ensure that significantly improved services are provided. I have asked officials in my Department to consider the issue and to identify and evaluate the options for institutional reform.
I am bamboozled with the number of leaks, comments and press reports regarding the Minister's future intentions for CIE. Will she clarify whether it is her intention, as reported in The Sunday Business Post, to split CIE into three separate companies? Will this involve three separate chief executives, boards, chairpersons and so on and does she intend to appoint them? Where will that leave integrated ticketing? Has the Minister or her Department been involved in talks with either Stage Coach or First Bus in relation to the sale or purchase of Dublin Bus or any part of Bus Éireann or is it intended to introduce them into Ireland in any form? Does she agree that these daily conflicting rumours, leaks and so on are creating a climate of uncertainty and are demoralising CIE from top to bottom and that there is a clear-cut need for a comprehensive singular Government statement as to the future of that organisation?
I state emphatically that neither I nor my Department have met First Bus or Stagecoach. I have no responsibility or inclination to try to pin down who led with that amazing story except to tell everybody that I never met them, never heard from them, did not intend to hear from them and neither did the Department. Why would I allow a story to go out that I met someone when I did not? That would be ridiculous. I have no intention of meeting them. Clearly there was an attempt by somebody – I wonder who it was – to initiate a programme of selective type leaks. That was the week I met the unions and I gave them all that answer. The Deputy asked if I intend to split CIE into three separate companies. It is already split into three separate companies but I intend to put forward to the Cabinet infrastructural committee a proposal for three separate boards. Integrated ticketing has not begun, although the money has been provided for it. It will be possible to have integrated ticketing among the three companies.
Who will be the new chairman of CIE? Can the Minister name him or her? Will he or she have any executive role, whether as part-time executive chairman or whatever else? Recently the chief executive and financial controller came before an Oireachtas committee. Have Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Cullen been reappointed to the board and the warrant signed?
The Deputy majored on that subject about ten days ago. Their warrant of appointment was printed in Iris Oifigiúil. Apparently their letter was on the group secretary's desk. She had passed it to the then chairman but, for some reason, the Deputy was informed otherwise. The Deputy would have to ask his informant why he got the wrong information.
I did not get the wrong information.
Yes, the Deputy did.
They have not been appointed.
Their appointments are in Iris Oifigiúil. I cannot make it more official than that. If they choose to make misrepresentations to the Deputy, he will have to go back to his sources who are providing him with all this titillation which is not leading to truth.
I have enough titillation from the Minister without having any sources.
I hope the Deputy has it at home.
Before the Chairman left he had two meetings with the Secretary General at which they had agreed the parameters of the new salaries which will be implemented in all the companies. He told the Secretary General it would be sent to the Department in writing but it has not come. Therefore, the personal letter from me cannot be sent. They are appointed.
We must proceed to the next question.
The new chairman will be announced shortly.
Not in the House, obviously.
I do not mind announcing it in the House.
The Minister should announce it here first.
Of course I will. I have never failed to come before the House on anything because I think my responsibility is to this House.
Question No. 54 is the one we must deal with.
Is John Lynch getting the job?
