Vol. 567 No. 2
89 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date by the implementation group on the restructuring of CIE; when he expects to receive the final report of the group; when he expects the proposal to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13674/03]
94 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of CIE Tours in the context of Government proposals on the restructuring of CIE. [13664/03]
116 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the implications, including cost, for the abolition of CIE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13729/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 94 and 116 together.
The mandate of the restructuring implementation group is to oversee the restructuring of CIE. The group will remain in place until all elements of the restructuring, including the necessary legislative changes, are implemented. It will report to me as necessary throughout the restructuring process. At present, the focus is on the detailed preparatory work required for the restructuring. I will bring a progress report on the work undertaken to date to the Government in the near future. It is not possible to put an exact cost on the restructuring of CIE, pending the completion of the detailed preparatory work. The cost will depend on how certain key issues, such as debt and insurance, are addressed. Given the constraints on the Exchequer, however, it is my objective to implement the restructuring without imposing a significant additional cost burden on the Exchequer or the CIE Group. The future arrangements for CIE Tours will be considered as part of the detailed restructuring work. I am not contemplating any change to the ownership structure of the company at the present time, however.
