I recently had an introductory meeting with the Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of CIE and we discussed a wide range of issues relating to the challenges and opportunities facing the CIE Group.
Obviously the fact that there are currently a number of pay related discussions under way involving the CIE subsidiary companies was raised at that meeting as one of the issues facing the CIE Group. However it is clearly a matter for the companies themselves to negotiate with the trade Unions on such pay claims. The Deputy will be aware of my firm belief that these issues are a matter for resolution between the employer and the employees. The State can assist the parties in their discussions through the offices of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court and I know that both bodies are continuing to facilitate discussions involving the CIE subsidiary companies and their employees.