Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has knowledge of the accounts of the company and in particular the accounts of Iarnród Éireann. From various media reports at the end of last year and early this year he will be aware of the very serious funding crisis in Iarnród Éireann. How does he expect Iarnród Éireann to come through that particular difficulty? He identified the need for and the House supported the provision of in excess of €35 million last year, much of which was required to resolve Iarnród Éireann's day-to-day funding issues. A voluntary severance programme was intended to reduce costs. However, part of that had to be delayed because the company was not in a cash position to meet the demands entailed. The firm required an extra €16 million just to pay the day-to-day expenses. Iarnród Éireann had a very serious cash crisis last year. We gave the Minister of State a period of time to resolve it. What progress has been made on that? Is Iarnród Éireann now on a viable financial footing as we head into another difficult year?

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