Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The nub of the issue is that although the Minister met the board of CIE, its members did not tell him about this issue being decided by them. This constitutes a snub to the Minister, particularly in view of his earlier response to the question on the appointment of Dr. Lynch as chairman of CIE. It is unacceptable to both the Minister and this House that this project, which is critical to Dublin's future transport options on foot of the connectivity it will bring, is being put on the long finger by a company that is not accountable to this House, which will not answer questions before the Joint Committee on Transport and the chairman of which the Minister reappointed without consulting anyone. This demonstrates where the Minister's policy has put him, namely, in a complete mess.

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