Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá Sinn Féin ag cur in éadan an athrú atá á dhéanamh anseo agus an príobháidiú atá á dhéanamh ar acmhainní na hÉireann agus acmhainní Stáit. We tabled a number of amendments that have not been accepted because they conflict with the principle of the Bill as read a Second Time. It is amusing because most amendments conflict with Bills because we disagree in principle with what is happening. The Government intends to hive off a profitable company, which made a gross operating profit of €79.4 million in 2012 compared to €44.3 million in 2011.

We fundamentally disagree with its privatisation. We compare what is envisaged here with what happened in the case of Eircom. There are concerns with regard to how the network will develop in the future. We are not the only ones who disagree with the move by the Minister and his Department to privatise the company. At its annual conference in 2012, the Labour Party voted to totally reject the sale of State assets. Obviously, however, the Minister is paying no heed to his party's view on the issue. It is disappointing that the Government and this Labour Party Minister are forging ahead with the troika-sponsored policy of privatisation, the sale of State assets, etc. In that context, the asset in question is profitable and should remain in State ownership in order that the revenue to which it gives rise might be used to further develop the system here.