Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The most important asset in this country - nobody on the Opposition has mentioned it - is the people, our people. We have to look after our people. The most important issue for our people is to get them back to work. We will use the fund generated from the sale of some of the assets to provide facilities to generate jobs and to reduce debt. Any celebrity economist will say the reduction of debt in the long term generates more income for the country.

I welcome the sale of State assets. I stand firmly behind the Minister in the hard work ahead and look forward to debating the issue with the Opposition in a proper and controlled manner.

See this speech in context