Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O'Rourke is developing an unhappy knack of losing people in key positions at State enterprises at crucial times.

Unlike some of the others to fall by the wayside at crucial times, CIE chairman Brian Joyce was pulling no punches in his letter of resignation, citing ministerial interference in internal company affairs, particularly industrial relations, and an ongoing legacy of underfunding.

There was some confusion as to why he should choose to go at a time when public transport looks like getting better funding than heretofore, but maybe he just got tired of being the meat in the political sandwich on industrial relations and rail safety.