Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the impact of State ownership on the various institutions with which Mr. Broderick's members work, it appears the Government intends over time to unwind State ownership. What are his thoughts on the impact of State ownership on banks' day to day operations and how it has affected the banking industry, the Financial Services Union's members and the Irish economy? I do not think it is the Government's intention to hang onto its investment in all these banks forever. I think it will consider selling them at a time when it thinks it will get good value, presumably the best value return for the shareholder. I have not heard anything from the Minister for Finance or anyone else in the Government that would indicate that it is the objective of the Irish Government to maintain, control or run a commercial banking operation into the long term.