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

The purpose of the question is to elicit the Minister's views on whether the State is achieving value for money for taxpayers from the current privatisation programme. I refer to the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, a number of ESB power plants for which payment to the State will be made by way of dividend, and the national lottery licence. I also ask him to outline the use to which the funds raised will be put, including whether they will be used for debt reduction purposes. The Government spoke of using the proceeds from the privatisation of State assets for job creation. I understand the Government is considering using some of the proceeds for a redundancy programme - in other words, to pay for job losses. I ask the Minister to comment.

See this speech in context