John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)

There is not much to say following the speech of the Minister, Deputy Howlin but I will use the four minutes allocated to me if Deputy Ferris does not interrupt me. I thank him for not interrupting.

The idea of selling any non-strategic State assets arose out of the collapse of the economy and the funding difficulty the State had then and now. As much as I hate to say it, the reality is that Fianna Fáil was responsible for it. We should not be criticised for reminding people of that as often as needs be. Fianna Fáil also set out the process we are discussing tonight with the McCarthy report, which commissioned a review of the sale of State assets. From the comments last week it is clear that Deputy Martin and the Fianna Fáil Party are now seeking to distance themselves from those remarks. When the McCarthy report was undertaken it was charged to consider the potential for asset disposals in the public sector, including commercial State bodies, in view of the indebtedness of the State. One could ask whether the party was aware of what was happening. The review proposed €5 billion worth of asset sales in May before the EU and IMF even came to town.

Whether we like it or not we are in a programme of support from the IMF and the EU. Raising State finances through asset sales is part of our agreement with them. That is the reality of where we are at, whether we like it or not. We are in a funding programme with other European countries and the IMF because we cannot pay our bills. A huge proportion of the bills are a result of the burden placed on us by the disastrous initial bank guarantee but either way, this is where we are at. As difficult as it is, the Government is dealing with the situation.

We can differ on whether the approach being taken is right or wrong but I believe this is the way to go. It would be easy to suggest that none of this is necessary. With no disrespect to anyone in the Sinn Féin Party, my firm belief is that is the easy option. The easy option is to say that what we are doing is wrong. It would be easy to say we do not have to sell anything and that we can easily find funds elsewhere to invest in jobs and reduce debt but that is simply not the case. Let us have a debate that recognises that this is where we are at, and that we must do what is being outlined.

Selling State assets that have been built up over generations gives me no satisfaction, nor does it give me satisfaction to discuss the matter in the House, but I am trying to deal with our situation. I have great admiration for the workers in ESB Networks and Bord Gáis who built up services and facilities. They should have a full say in the matter and their interests should be kept in mind when these assets are being sold.

However, I am mindful of people who are out of work and for whom we cannot provide jobs. That said, there have been some recent shoots. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, referred to an approximate 1,000 jobs. The unemployed must be at the heart of the Government's plan. That is the case in this instance. It is not about selling assets for the sake of it. The sale is to allow us to develop a climate in which the growth of more jobs can be encouraged. As a Government, we do not have many options in tackling unemployment while meeting the commitments of the EU-IMF deal. We must repay what we owe and create jobs.

The proposal to raise €3 billion through the sale of non-strategic State assets contains a carrot, given the prospect of re-investing €1 billion in the State so we can create jobs and, as is the case with Members, give people the dignity of doing a day's work. People call for this dignity daily, but we are not in a position to provide it. The State's main obligation is to scrub up €1 billion and create a climate that allows more mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters to live with dignity and to feel like valued citizens.

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