Mary O'Rourke's views on the possible privatisation of parts of CIE group have been well-aired.

But while unions at the troubled transport group may be cold on the latest plans of the Minister for Public Enterprise, they would do well to consider the activities of its consulting division.

This low-profile business recorded a £19,000 (€24,123) surplus on a turnover last year of £2.5 million. According to CIE's latest annual report, much of these revenues were generated in Tanzania on a World Bank project to privatise the railway system there.

Ominous this may be for those who cherish the State's ownership of Iarnrod Eireann.

And given Iarnrod's mixed performance on its home network, a certain perplexity on the part of Tanzania's travelling public might be justified.