asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will instruct the ESB to withdraw from its contract with the National Power Corporation of the Philippines.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - ESB Philippines Contract .
13.
: The ESB's contract with the National Power Corporation of the Philippines is a matter for administrative decision by the board.
The contract was awarded on the recommendation of the World Bank and relates to the future management structures of the corporation and the training of their staff. I see no reason to ask the ESB to withdraw from it.
: Would the Minister not adopt the same position as his colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, did in condemning any collaboration between Aer Lingus and a tyrannous regime in South Africa in relation to the ESB?
: I am not sure that my colleague took the steps the Deputy has quoted him as having taken. Since the ESB were asked by the World Bank to advise the electricity authority of the country concerned to try to improve the electricity service there and to bring it up to a reasonable standard, it is reasonable for the ESB to do so.
: Have the World Bank bought our conscience?
: No, they have not. If the ESB or I did not like the operation, then the ESB need not go ahead with it.
: We will start producing electric chairs next.