Michael McDonnell, Said it was inappropriate for him to comment
The Group Chief Executive of CIE, Michael McDonnell, has declined to answer questions on the resignation this week of the CIE chairman Brian Joyce. Speaking at this afternoon's meeting of the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport, Mr McDonnell said it was inappropriate for him to comment on what he saw as a political matter. He was replying to questions by Fine Gael's Ivan Yates on an aspect of Mr Joyce's resignation letter, regarding the autonomy of CIE management.
Mr McDonnell also spoke about industrial relations within the CIE Group. Replying to Deputy Emmet Stagg he said low basic pay due to underfunding had caused his staff to be demoralized. He urged politicians to encourage a partnership approach to industrial relations in CIE. He said higher basic pay for higher productivity is the aim of the group.
