Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Last night Government Deputies voted down Sinn Féin's motion which defended the ESB as a key strategic company in public ownership. Not once but twice Labour Party Deputies in this House voted for the partial privatisation of this vital State asset. That is absolutely the case. How can the Labour Party reconcile its voting position and its stated intent in the coming months, given its clear pre-election promise, as set out in its manifesto in February this year? The manifesto stated:

Labour is committed to the concept of public enterprise, and is determined to ensure that semi-state companies play a full role in the recovery of the Irish economy. Labour is opposed to short-termist privatisation of key state assets, such as Coillte or the energy networks.

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