Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----in respect of my protecting the highest paid. The Deputy knows these things and she plays her particular game. I will deal with the specifics of this matter. If one considers the position objectively, one will realise that the notion that selling the energy division of Bord Gáis is butchering the assets of the State is fanciful. There are two large energy companies in State ownership in this country and these compete with each other on a notional basis. The larger of the two, ESB, was not permitted to benefit from an energy cost reduction and the purpose of this was to create an artificial market with another State company. That was what passed for competition in the past. It is my opinion that the consumers and workers of Ireland who depend on and want affordable energy would be happier if there was real competition between an external player and a robust, lean ESB, while Bord Gáis concentrated on its gas pipelines, which is what it was established to do in the first instance. Bord Gáis is a very successful company. Its expansion into certain areas - running wind farms, etc. - was never envisaged when it was established.

Does the Deputy believe that a power station in Spain is an essential part of the assets of a company such as ESB, particularly at a time when the State needs financial resources in order to invest in job creation? She will be aware that I have renegotiated the troika agreement to ensure that the financial resources that will be leveraged from the sale of these assets will be invested in job creation. If I do not have time now, I will refer to the position with regard to Coillte when replying to the Deputy's next supplementary.

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