Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Olli Rehn's office in the European Commission wrote to the Greek Minister. He stated:

As you know, privatisation of public companies contributes to the reduction of public debt, as well as to the reduction of subsidies, other transfers or state guarantees to state-owned enterprises. It also has the potential of increasing the efficiency of companies and, by extension, the competitiveness of the economy as a whole, while attracting foreign direct investment.

The Minister states that neither he nor his Department has received any letter from the Commission encouraging the privatisation of water. Has there been verbal communication from the European officials who have visited here to encourage the Government to privatise Irish Water?

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