Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 2:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"notes:

- the contribution that semi-State companies have made to Ireland's economic growth;

- the fiscal crisis inherited by the current Government and the commitment by the previous Government to the EU-ECB-IMF funding partners to consult with the Commission on foot of the report of the review group on State assets and liabilities with a view to setting appropriate targets for the possible privatisation of State-owned assets;

- the conclusions and recommendations of the review group on State assets and liabilities; and

- the new approach adopted by the Government to managing State assets through the establishment of the NewERA unit;

accepts that it is necessary to release value from State assets to reduce debt and provide additional resources for reinvestment;

welcomes the agreement that one third of the proceeds from the sale of State assets can be made available for reinvestment in job creation initiatives to stimulate the economy, which represents a major achievement in the negotiations with the EU-ECB-IMF troika;

further notes:

- the intention to ensure that any assets sold are sold on acceptable terms and at a price that achieves fair value for the Exchequer; and

- that the State's 25% share in Aer Lingus is no longer a strategic asset, as it does not enable the Government to determine Aer Lingus policy on issues such as, inter alia, the airline's landing slots at Heathrow Airport;

commends the Government for:

- its commitment to delivering on national priorities, with a particular focus on the critical importance of ensuring the security of oil, gas and electricity supplies; and

- its commitment to retaining the electricity and gas networks and interconnectors in State ownership as national strategic energy infrastructure, which underpin economic growth and security of energy supply;

notes that the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, which has played a key role in developing competition in energy markets, as well as some of ESB's non-strategic power generation capacity, may further enhance the competitive landscape in the all-island market, for the benefit of the economy and energy consumers;

agrees that the forest land owned by Coillte is an important strategic asset, which will not be sold; and

endorses the approach of the Government, announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, on 22 February 2012, as offering the possibility of significant positive outcomes in terms of driving competition in the energy sector and facilitating much needed investment in our economic recovery."

If we could tap the hyperbole coming from Deputy Ellis and his cohort, we would be able to power the entire nation and would not need Bord Gáis Éireann. I love the idea though, that one never lets the truth get in the way of a good story. So we are selling our youth, people are dying and freezing in their homes.

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