Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As part of the assets-disposal process required by the troika as part of the programme we are now about to exit, the Government decided on the disposal of the energy business of Bord Gáis and the retention in State ownership of the distributive networks. The legislation before the House is to enable that to happen. It is not that the Government has taken any decision not to sell the energy business of Bord Gáis at some point in the future, but rather that there is a necessity to put the legislation in place by completing the enactment of the Bill.

The future will look after itself because this is a thriving business. Even if the marketplace may not be so congenial at the moment, it is a thriving business that is continuing to develop and is essential in our energy infrastructure. We will continue to develop it and assist the company in every way we can. If a fair price is on offer at some stage in the future, the Government will consider that at the time. I give an undertaking to the Deputy and the House that in those circumstances, of course, I would come back into the House and advise it of that decision.

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