Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

In his own mind, the Minister is working from a position of vulnerability and pressure. He has conceded that point. First, we have heard no compelling case for partial privatisation of the assets. Second, the Minister has conceded that he is taking this option from a position of weakness. Third, his colleagues on the Government back benches believe the Government has sealed a deal with the troika to use the proceeds of privatisation for investment in jobs. Earlier in this debate, the Minister made it plain that is not the case.

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