Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

As Deputy Fleming is probably aware, there is an ESOP scheme already in Bord Gáis Éireann. A little over 3% of the company is owned by the employees and that will be part of the things which will be addressed now because, as Deputy Fleming knows, the company is well on the way to being disaggregated into the transmission and the generating elements of it. The transmission elements of it, including the gas interconnectors and so on, will remain in State ownership. What is proposed to be sold is the generating capacity of it, which is not strategic. If we can have a significant new player in the Irish market, it will be in the interests of the consumers and industry generally. The other point Deputy Fleming made about pension funds and deficits is a factor which is being taken into account.

See this speech in context