Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have been examining this. This year there has been a change in the franchise for the operation of the MANs, which has prompted this type of examination. I do not want to commit myself at this stage, because the other side of it is that competition in the sector is very important. The ESB and Vodafone would take offence at their venture being characterised as the State intervening. The ESB sees itself, quite rightly, as a commercial enterprise. I understand what the Deputy is stating in terms of tidying up and having more efficient use of and better value for money in the State's total involvement in the sector. We are examining this. At the same time I do not want to constrain normal competition, and there is fierce competition in the sector at present. The improvements could not have been envisaged three or four years ago.