Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Finance if he or the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities has met with the International Monetary Fund regarding the work of the group in relation to its review of State Assets and their possible disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48242/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a delegation from the EU Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank visited Dublin in November 2010 to finalise a programme of financial assistance for Ireland. During this visit, the delegation was briefed on a number of issues of interest, including the ongoing work of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities. The International Monetary Fund did not meet the Review Group as such.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the report of the Review Group on State assets has not been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48243/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Review Group is currently finalising its Report but may need to undertake some further limited consultation before doing so. I expect to receive the Report thereafter in due course.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Finance if the establishment of the review group on State assets came about as a consequence of contacts with the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48244/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I established the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities in July, 2010 to advise me on how the assets can be better used or disposed of to support economic growth and national investment priorities. The International Monetary Fund had no role in the establishment of the Group.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Finance if the International Monetary Fund has suggested that State assets be sold off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48245/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The financial assistance programme agreed recently with International Monetary Fund and the EU Commission, in liaison with the ECB, is governed by a detailed Memorandum of Understanding which sets out specific milestones that must be met before funds are draw down. The Memorandum of Understanding provides, inter alia, that an independent assessment of Ireland's electricity and gas sectors will be carried out before end 2011 with a view to enhancing their efficiency and that the Government will consult with the Commission on the results of this assessment with a view to setting appropriate targets for the possible privatisation of state-owned assets.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the sentiments of his party colleague (details supplied) that a wholesale sell-off of State assets could lead to the loss of sovereign control over vital sectors of the economy [48246/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Given the current financial condition of the State, it would be negligent not to examine all reasonable ways in the public interest to reduce the State's indebtedness, including through the sale of certain State assets. The issues raised in the Deputy's question will naturally be considered and weighed in the balance when decisions are made by Government on the continued ownership or otherwise of such assets.