A major new report on the future of Iarnrod Eireann recommends that it be separated from the CIE Group and established as a separate company with its own board.
It also proposes a five-year internal peace pact to re-build the confidence of the travelling public. The report, by a three-man Review Group, also suggests a series of one-off payments for the company's 5,500 staff, but only if the company remains free of industrial action.
It calls for the establishment of an Industrial Council to deal with matters concerning pay, conditions and discipline, saying that the Labour Court and Labour Relations Commission have too often been used as a 'crutch' to resolve disputes that should be resolved within the company.
The report notes that there are 33 groups with negotiating licences at Iarnrod Eireann, and 'strongly recommends' that the number of negotiating units be reduced to five.
The Review Group was made up of former SIPTU general president Bill Attley, former top civil servant Kevin Bonner and IDA Ireland chairman John Dunne.
Among the other recommendations are a strengthening of the board and senior management, the appointment of a chief operations officer, and the appointment of a full-time person responsible for improving service quality.
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke said the accepted the report's recommendations as a basis for the future development of the company. She has asked the CIE board to respond in the next few weeks.
