Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

As the Minister steps down this path he opens up the prospect of a similar experience for the other commercial semi-State bodies. The Minister is very unwise to have conceded to the troika that he would even consider the sale - and it would be a fire sale in these market conditions - of valuable State assets. He pointed the finger at Fianna Fáil and I accept that Deputy Ó Cuív was dancing on the head of a pin so I will not argue with the Minister on this point. However, the Minister is now in the job and he is a person from a party which historically has had a commitment to the commercial semi-State sector. Irrespective of the view of the troika he needs to stand firm on this historical analysis because it is the correct one. The Minister can choose to sell off parts of the semi-State bodies to yield a modest short-term payment some of which he may get to invest in jobs, or he can take the longer-term view and harness the capacities and potentials of these companies to serve the State and the citizens and no other master.

The Minister tells us two processes are under way, one in respect of the ESB which will conclude at the end of November and the other to value assets. Without wishing to be rude to the Minister-----

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