Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Although the process of drafting legislation to make BGE a plc was in place, the Government decided not to go ahead with it. Two years ago, the BGE trade unions asked me to consider their proposal for an ESOP. I informed them the only basis on which I could agree to such a proposal was if there was meaningful and valued transformation in the company. To some people's surprise, the unions returned with a proposal for such a transformation that met the criteria. Having earlier agreed to consider this, we needed to respond as positively as the workers and the unions had.

Despite what Deputy Broughan may think about the marvellous resources available to me in the Department, there are not enough of them.

See this speech in context