John Gilroy (Labour)

It is good that we have the opportunity to discuss this important issue. Opponents of the Government and ideological opponents of the initiative to review the sale of State assets have put about a great deal of wilful misinformation. Undoubtedly, many people have strong opinions on the issue. The semi-State bodies have served the country well, but this should not be interpreted as meaning that their retention in the State's hands would be the most appropriate use of resources in the changed economic climate.

I wish to raise a genuine question that I hope will be discussed with political honesty. Senator Byrne made a similar point. I hope that we can put aside our political differences and find a common political pathway to national recovery. On this road, factors that we never believed would need to be re-imagined must be re-imagined, including the relationship between the semi-State bodies and the State. This reconsideration forms part of the agreement with the troika, despite Senator Byrne's anxiety about presenting it as an independent proposal.