Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans with regard to the transmission assets of ESB; and if there are Government plans for the privatisation of ESB or EirGrid. [4480/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government 2007-2012, reaffirms the commitment in the Energy Policy White Paper to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to Eirgrid by end 2008. The mechanisms to implement the transfer to Eirgrid of ownership of the assets comprise a range of legislative, commercial, legal and financial dimensions, which are currently under consideration by my Department.

In line with successive Partnership Agreements, there will be a full process of engagement with the management and unions of both ESB and Eirgrid on implementation of the transfer of the asset ownership function. The process will also include engagement on legitimate concerns of the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT). Government policy is clear in relation to implementation of the transmission assets decision in a way that ensures the strategic future of both Eirgrid and ESB as strong viable Semi State entities, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders. There is therefore, no proposal to privatise ESB or Eirgrid. It is the Government's stated view that strategic electricity assets should be retained in State ownership for the long term. The decision to transfer the transmission assets to Eirgrid, as the State-owned independent system operator, is fully in line with that position.