Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the way the establishment of public transport needs in accordance with their statutory requirements has been fulfilled by CIÉ in relation to such property as it holds. [20237/07]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the status of a communication (details supplied) to the board of CIÉ in relation to the assessment of such property as might be constituted as surplus to needs for public transport; the mechanisms for the assessment of same; and the implications for the future of public transport of the disposal of property owned by CIÉ in the absence of adequate assessment of present, and future, transport needs of a local, regional and national kind. [20238/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.

The primary duty of CIÉ and its subsidiary companies as set out in Section 7 of the Transport Act 1958 and Section 8 of the Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986 is to provide a reasonable, efficient and economical transport service having regard to their social role. Decisions in relation to the acquisition, optimal use and disposal of property in pursuit of these statutory objectives and in relation to the use of property no longer required in full for its statutory duties are matters for CIÉ. In the late 1990's CIÉ were asked, by the then Minister for Public Enterprise, to ensure that all assets surplus to public transport requirements were disposed of to help fund CIÉ's growing capital investment programme.

In response CIÉ reviewed its property holdings and as part of its ongoing management of these holdings seeks to derive maximum value from their use, including development and sale, for the benefit of public transport, taking account of existing and future needs.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the details of all orders which have been made by Government since 1986 under Section 9 of the Transport (Reorganisation of Córas Iompar Éireann) Act, 1986. [20239/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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No orders have been made under Section 9 of the Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act, 1986.