Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The troika views asset disposal as a structural reform measure, intended to improve efficiency and competition in the economy while offering the prospect of reducing overall debt levels. The Government, views asset disposal as offering the potential to release value from State assets for use in employment generating initiatives in the economy, as set out clearly in the programme for Government.

In our most recent discussions, which concluded last week, the troika signalled that in the context of Government pursuing an ambitious programme of asset disposal, it would be prepared to agree to the retention of a sizeable amount of proceeds from such disposal for investment in job creation initiatives in the economy. This remains the policy of the Government.

See this speech in context