Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on growing speculation regarding the privatisation of the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43644/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As I have stated consistently the Government has no plans to privatise any part of the ESB. Government policy in relation to the ownership of the electricity transmission and distributions networks is clearly set out in the Energy Policy White Paper and reconfirmed in the Programme for Government. It is the Government's explicit position that the transmission and distribution network assets will remain in State ownership in perpetuity as strategic national assets.

The Government fully supports the continuation of ESB as a strong and commercially viable vertically integrated utility within State ownership. This will continue to be the position. ESB Group will continue to own and run the distribution network and will continue to undertake the major networks infrastructure investment programme to provide enhanced levels of continuity of supply for the economy and the consumer.

The ESB-CER Asset Management Strategy Agreement will see ESB power generation reducing its market share by 2010 and becoming more efficient and commercial in the process. The ESB Group will continue to compete successfully with Viridian, Airtricity and other independents in power generation and electricity supply in the all-island electricity market. ESB will also continue to develop its renewable energy portfolio on the island.

In addition, ESB Group will, through ESB International, continue to expand its increasingly profitable all-island, UK, European and international business in power generation and supply, renewable energy and consultancy services. The company's recent launch of its plans for the UK market should be seen as an important step in delivering on this strategy, which will help underpin the company's continued development and growth.