Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) (English: Irish Transport Company, pronounced CHORUS UM-PAIR AIR-INN) is a statutory authority which is owned by the Irish Government, and since the enactment of Transport (Reorganisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act, 1986 CIE is the shareholding company of Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann - the three largest internal transport companies in Ireland. There is a current government plan in which CIE is to be wound up and the three individual companies focusing on their own business areas and thus increasing competitiveness.

"The Flying Snail"

Córas Iompair Éireann was originally established to provide road and railway transport, and later water. For most of its existence the company made large and year-on-year losses, particularly the railways division, this caused the public and politicians to demand "make CIE pay". Thus, similar to the pattern in many countries, Ireland's railways were rationalised and faced severe cutbacks while the road division was expanded.

"The Broken Wheel"

Córas Iompair Éireann was formed by the Transport Act, 1944 and incorporated the Great Southern Railways Company and Dublin United Transport Company. At this point CIE adopted the logo of the latter company, the flying snail. Great Southern Railways incorporated in 1925 been previously Great Southern Railway since 1924, this was essentially a monopoly on transport. The Transport Act, 1950 amalgamated CIE and the Grand Canal Company and formally nationalised CIE. The Northern Ireland Great Northern Railway Act, 1958 transferred the lines of Great Northern Railway Company, south of the border, to CIE.

See also

• Transportation in Ireland

External links

• Official site - Córas Iompair Éireann (http://www.cie.ie)

Córas Iompair Éireann
Bus Átha Cliath - Dublin Bus | Bus Éireann - Irish Bus | Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail