Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Yesterday, Ireland's largest trade union stated, "Today's announcement regarding the sale of some public enterprises is a sad day for the Irish people and a tragedy for the Labour Party."

There seems to be confusion on both sides of the House as to what the troika said or did not say to the previous and the current Governments. When my party leader, Deputy Adams, met with the troika, he was told categorically that while the troika favours privatisation, there is nothing in the memorandum of understanding to the effect that the Government must pursue it. This is ultimately a Government decision.