Written answers

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Department of Transport

Public Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of George LeeGeorge Lee (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason CIE is not subject to parliamentary questions, freedom of information requests, Comptroller and Auditor General audits and investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/09]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In common with other commercial semi state agencies, CIE and its subsidiary companies are not subject to FOI as it would compromise their ability to compete effectively in the markets in which they operate. While as Minister I am not answerable in the Dáil for the operational activities of autonomous state bodies I regularly address, in the context of PQs, Estimates debates, Private Members Business, legislation etc, broader policy, legislative and funding issues relating to the provision of public transport services by CIE and its subsidiaries. The position in relation to audit of accounts is that the legislation establishing CIE and its subsidiaries requires that their accounts be audited annually by an auditor or auditors appointed by their Boards with the consent of the Minister. These audits are carried out to the same auditing and accounting standards as apply to audits by the C&AG.

It should also be noted that the capital funding paid to the CIE companies under Transport 21 for public transport development projects is subject to a rigorous monitoring and auditing regime including cost benefit analysis. Some cost benefit analyses have been published on my Department's website. In addition the annual subvention paid to CIE towards the cost of public service obligation services and the 2nd Railway Safety Investment Programme have been subject to VFM Reviews under the Department of Finance's Expenditure Review Process in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Both reports are available on my Department's website.

The Chairman and/or Chief Executives of the CIE companies also appear regularly - on 9 occasions since 1 January 2008 – before Oireachtas Committees particularly the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

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