Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any further disposal of State assets remains included in the options for consideration by his Department; if sufficient funds have been raised from such disposals and with a view of ensuring that decisions taken are in line with the best interests of the country as opposed to enforced sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48470/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am happy to inform the Deputy that the programme of State asset disposals that I announced in February 2012 reached a successful conclusion this year. This will result in special dividends (asset proceeds) of some €1.4 billion being paid to the Exchequer to support stimulus measures and reduce Ireland's debt burden and no further State asset disposals are under consideration by my Department.

Throughout this process, the Government's overriding concern was to ensure that disposals were in the national interest, that value was secured for the Exchequer and that fire sales were avoided. To this end, disposals were transacted via open, transparent, and competitive processes and the Government was careful to safeguard the position of strategic infrastructure such as the electricity and gas networks. I am satisfied that the objectives of the programme have been met.