Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

The contradiction is glaringly obvious. This money should not be given away to the gamblers of capitalism but instead should be invested in job creatin. The three companies up for sale, namely, Coillte, the ESB and Bord Gáis, paid a total of €1.97 billion to the State in dividends in the past ten years. If the Government has its way, we will no longer receive these dividends. The decision to hand over €3.1 billion, while selling off State assets worth €3 billion is one the Government did not have to make. Let us be clear: we would not make this choice.

Our proposals are simple, clear and focused on benefiting the country and its people. We would use the €3 billion not for lining pockets but for a job creation plan which would include the provision of creches, 100 new school buildings, the refurbishment of other school buildings, regeneration projects in Limerick and Dublin and a range of other projects such as health centres which the Government wants to put in place. This is an opportunity to do so.

Sinn Féin believes the Government is making the wrong decision. This is not to have a go at the Government; we believe this sincerely. The Government's plan to dispose of State assets in the next two years includes the possible sale of the assets of Coillte. The Woodland League calls for an urgent re-evaluation of the State forestry model as part of a national public works programme, involving training for the unemployed and the creation of long-term forestry jobs as the backbone of national recovery. The Government should consider the merits of these proposals which could help to stimulate employment. Using public resources and taxpayers' money, over many years Ireland's public forests were built as a national asset and it makes no sense to sell off parts of them.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is on record as stating the sale of State assets threatens to transform companies such as the ESB and Bord Gáis into another Eircom. We know what happened in that case. The Government is being disingenuous when it states it does not intend to sell off strategic assets because the ESB, Bord Gáis and Coillte are the most valuable assets we own. If job creation is the single most important goal of this Administration, the sale of State assets contradicts this aim. It is important that semi-State companies are left in a position where they can advance, develop and be used for job creation purposes.

The Minister and previous Government speakers have stated only power generation facilities will be sold. This is the same as saying only the source of water would be sold. The pipes and wires are used for connection; that is all they do. The money is in the generation. The valve to turn on and off the power will be in private hands. The Minister understands this because he is in government and has been a Member of the House for longer. He is handing over the lever of power and putting it in the control of private individuals. I appeal to him and the Government to think about this again. Do not sell our State assets. Do not hand over these public assets or the sum of €3.1 billion.

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