Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Tá sé tráthúil go bhfuilimid ag caint faoi dhíol sócmhainní Stáit. I would like to build on the questions we asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, about the potential sale of State assets. I understand Ministers were briefed on the New ERA report last week. Has the Economic Management Council considered the report? A newspaper reported over the weekend that a minority share in the ESB would not now be sold. Will the Taoiseach confirm that there is no intention to sell a minority share in an integrated ESB? Will he confirm that consideration has been given to Bord Gáis and Coillte and indicate what decisions have been made in that regard? We know Fine Gael has been in favour of the sale of State assets for a long time and that the Labour Party is not so keen. It believes the proceeds of the sale of State assets should be invested in job creation. We all agree with job creation. Will the Taoiseach tell us whether the troika is willing to accept the decision to commit the proceeds of the possible sale of State assets to job creation? Has it agreed to allow a percentage of the proceeds to be used for that purpose? Are water, gas and electricity utilities being looked at when consideration is being given to State assets? Will the Taoiseach confirm that despite what the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, said before Christmas in response to a parliamentary question, there will be no sale in 2012 of State assets of significance - particularly the ESB - which is what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform seemed to indicate?

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