Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The movement towards the private sector holding infrastructural assets, such as those about which we are talking, rather than the public sector has been a part of economic management in all modern economies for the past 30 years, of which I am sure the Deputy is well aware. The European authorities are of the view - it is supported by any economic theory one would like to read - that assets in private hands will be used more efficiently for the public good than assets in public hands in general terms.

See this speech in context