Ms Vivienne Jupp:

Obviously we have been going through the challenges faced by each company and CIE is co-ordinating the effort to ensure the activities of each subsidiary company are aligned and that they contribute to the overall health of the group and each individual company. We cannot allow one company to do something that is detrimental to another. The bus companies are concerned that we deal with the challenge facing Irish Rail because it could impact upon their services. Since I took this job I have tried to be clear, concise and transparent in providing all of the necessary information to the board, which includes four worker directors, the management teams, the Department and the Minister. I do not believe in hiding things. We must be absolutely clear and transparent and ensure the evidence backing up our point of view is clearly communicated. I always answer questions from the worker directors on the seriousness of the situation because nobody would want to put people through the changes we are asking people at all levels to undertake if the situation were not deadly serious.