Ross-induced governance crisis as five State transport Boards without Chair

Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys has highlighted the lack of a chairperson on five State transport boards. This comes with the prospect of a strike in Irish Rail and ongoing issues in Bus Éireann. The Minister for Transport has failed to ensure that these State boards can operate properly and that a functioning governance structure is in place.

Senator Kevin Humphreys said:

“Due to the inaction and indecision of Minister Shane Ross, there is now a governance crisis across all the State public transport bodies.

“The boards of CIE, Bus Éireann, Iarnroid Éireann, Dublin Bus and the National Transport Authority are all without chairpersons for several months.

“This is an unprecedented situation with the prospect of strikes in Irish Rail and ongoing industrial relations issues in Bus Éireann

“This raises serious concerns about the type of corporate governance in place across the State transport bodies, and the regulator for the sector, the NTA.

“Minister Ross has allowed this situation to arise with his failure to appoint individuals to the Boards.

“As management engage in brinkmanship with the workers in the sector, it is critical that there is sufficient oversight of what is happening in these essential public services.”

Notes to Editors:

Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ): Four vacancies, and no Chairperson since 9^th July 2017

Iarnród Éireann: Three vacancies and no Chairperson since 9^th July 2017.

Bus Éireann: Two vacancies, and no chairperson since 9^th July 2017.

Dublin Bus: Two vacancies and no Chairperson since 23^rd September 2017.

National Transport Authority: Chairperson vacant since 1^st June 2017.