Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

Will the Minister let us know directly whether there has been an impact analysis? Most commentators have the opinion that full or part-privatisation effectively means potential job losses, because private investors seek a return on their investment. That must be planned for and factored into the strategy that the Government undertakes as part of this programme. We also need to debate further in this Chamber the fuller definition of strategic, as opposed to non-strategic, State assets. I will give the Minister an example which is not under his area of responsibility. Deputy Ferris and I are of the view that the Shannon-Heathrow landing slots under the stewardship of Aer Lingus are a strategic State asset for regional development in our part of the country, yet the Government seems to have taken a view that they are a non-strategic State asset.

In pursuing an agenda, it is not a matter of left-wing or right-wing policy; what is important is whether it is the right thing to do, socially and financially, for the country, bearing in mind the employees involved. Has the Minister carried out an impact analysis? If he has, can he publish it?

There are deficits in the pension funds of the aforementioned companies. How does the Minister propose to deal with this prior to embarking on this course of action? The deficits are significant.

If the Minister tries to sell these assets in a climate in which these deficits persist, he will secure a potentially depressed sale price or face an industrial relations issue as part of the sales process. I ask him to respond to these two specific items - the analysis of the impact on jobs and the pensions deficit.

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