Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions. He raised a couple of specific issues. The accounts were late this year because the board would not sign off on them until many of its questions had been answered from an auditing point of view. I think that is rigorous. As the Deputy is aware, there have been many changes at board level in CIE and its subsidiaries. He also asked about the issue of chief executive salaries. There is no chief executive of CIE. On foot of a decision made by this Government, the executive chair is no longer in place. Three chief executives are in place among CIE's subsidiaries. Their salaries have reduced substantially. Many changes have been made across CIE. There have been many personnel changes at all levels within the organisation and its subsidiaries. These are significant improvements, given that CIE was caught in a perfect storm when its subvention was reduced, its passenger numbers decreased and its fuel costs increased. Iarnród Éireann has implemented a significant voluntary severance programme, which will make a vital contribution to its cost recovery programme. The group has generated cash from various activities, such as the sale of Spencer Dock. It has developed a five-year plan to reduce costs and manage cashflows. It is now engaged in an ongoing process with its unions to implement those plans. The recommendations that have been made to improve the group's treasury and cash management functions have been implemented. A great deal of work is taking place. I assure the Deputy that the Department is working closely with CIE to ensure a robust business plan is in place for the future.

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