Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I take it from the Tánaiste's reply that up to 49% of ESB might be sold. Can he confirm that the transmission assets, which comprise the power cables as well as the network, will be retained in 100% State ownership and will not be transferred to Eirgrid? Can he also clarify whether the transmission system in Northern Ireland, which is owned by ESB, will be retained in State ownership or are we doing something that every previous Government set its face against, namely, diluting the State's ownership of the wires in the electricity system? Will the Government accept or reject the proposals in the McCarthy report to transfer the hydroelectric schemes, including Turlough Hill, to Eirgrid in order that they can be retained in 100% State ownership in light of their importance? If these vital national assets are being transferred out of ESB, has a value been placed on the residual value of the company?

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