Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There have been many debates on the pros and cons of selling State assets. The Government withdrew the option of selling Coillte, which was the right decision. Fine Gael had a plan in 2009 to sell State assets with a view to creating new jobs. One hour ago in the Chamber the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, confirmed no proceeds had been received from the sale of State assets, that none would be received by 15 December when the troika leaves and that none would be received in this calendar year. We all welcome the departure of the troika on 15 December. It is clear that during the three year plan no proceeds were received from the sale of State assets. Now that the troika is leaving and will no longer be here to ask the Government to sell them, the European Union is not asking the Government to sell State assets, as is no one on the Opposition side.

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