asked the Minister for Communications if he will allay the fears of workers in Telecom Éireann and An Post that the Government propose to privatise both companies and float them on the Irish Stock Exchange; and if he will reconfirm the position of both these semi-State companies and their staff.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Telecom Éireann and An Post.
26.
The Minister for Communications holds all but three of the shares in an Post and Telecom Éireann. The Minister is precluded under section 23 (2) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, from transferring or alienating his holding in either company and there is no provision in the Act for the acquisition of shares in either company by private interests.
Section 45 of the Act provides a statutory guarantee for each member of the staff of the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs who transferred to either of the two companies that the scales of pay and conditions and tenure of office shall not be any less favourable than those enjoyed in the Civil Service immediately prior to the transfer and that no variation or worsening of such terms and conditions etc. may take place except by agreement negotiated with recognised trade unions and staff associations.
The statements by a member of the Stock Exchange were brought to the attention of the Minister on the possibility that the Government were prepared to privatise these companies. I am relieved to hear the Minister reassuring the House that the Act which brought those companies into being will be upheld, that there are no amendments being proposed in the House and that he has no plans whatsoever for the privatisation of Telecom Éireann or An Post. I am delighted to hear those assurances given here today by the Minister.
If Deputy Leyden had been doing his homework properly, he would not have had to put down this question. If he had known the legislation sufficiently well, it would have been obvious from that——
Legislation can change.
——that the alienation of shares is not possible under existing legislation. That was a section inserted by myself.
I am well aware of the situation. The minister should also be aware that this House has a right to amend any Bill. It was on that basis that I put down the question. The Government have the right to bring forward a Bill in this House and many amendments have been already brought forward in relation to the Bill.
We cannot have a debate on the matter.
The Minister is bringing my position into question as regards the asking of the question in the first instance. Earlier on today during Question Time he stated that he was in favour of companies giving shareholdings to their staff. That is in connection with shares in State companies.
The Deputy is making a speech. I call Question No. 28.
He said that himself.
That does not entitle you to make a speech.