Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

There is a tied theme between Deputy McManus's last question and my previous question. The Minister is just not interested in working out the cost of anything. During the boom period, "Champagne Charlie" gave tax cuts, pay increases and tax shelters to everybody, and during the bust, "Easy Eamon" is prepared to sign any blank cheque without ever working out the cost. Ministers may change, but this Minister really fits in with Fianna Fáil. He is more Fianna Fáil than Fianna Fáil itself.

I believe the Minister wants a consensus on a four year budget strategy, and I think we do need such a strategy. It will hopefully be possible to do this within four years. For that to be credible, we need a four year growth strategy. To achieve growth in the economy, we need stimulus and we need competitiveness. My party takes the view that the sale of State assets may form part of that, provided that money is invested in new assets, such as next generation networks, forestry, on-shore wind and other forms of renewable energy.

Does the Minster have any principled objection to the sale of State assets?

Does he have any principled objection to the sale of State assets or can he agree to them if they add up? What strategic benefit does the State have in owning three generation companies and two supply companies?

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