Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 4

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

91 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her discussions with the board of CIE pertaining to the funding for the Public Transport Investment Programme are now complete; if part of the funding of the programme is to come from CIE's own resources; if so, the percentage; if CIE's own resources is primarily comprised of its land and properties; if so, if she is still withholding consent to CIE to dispose of surplus lands and properties especially in Dublin area, which are urgently needed for housing and other social projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14465/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The issue of funding the Public Transport Investment Programme in CIE is an ongoing matter. CIE is committed to making a substantial contribution to the enhancement of the public transport infrastructure as set out in the national development plan.

As the Deputy is aware, consultants carried out an independent review of CIE property in 1999 and in the light of developments in the property market since then they provided my Department with an update on their findings in October 2000. My Department is currently in discussion with CIE to determine the best way to proceed in order to obtain optimum benefit from the CIE property portfolio in the context of the capital investment programme in public transport under the national development plan.

I am not withholding consent to CIE disposing of any of its assets. The disposal of land is a matter for the board of CIE.