Dick Spring
Question:13 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Communications if he has any plans to commercialise any of the services provided by agencies under his control in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Agencies.
Subject to general policy considerations and statutory limitations I expect all the State bodies under my control to operate on a commercial basis.
The Minister's reply does not answer the question in the name of Deputy Spring. Will the Minister elaborate further on his answer as it did not address the question?
The question asked if I had any plans to commercialise any of the services provided by agencies under my control. I expect all the State bodies under my control to operate on a commercial basis. Some of the agencies, An Post and BTE for example, have social as well as economic functions and this is reflected in their particular legislation. The companies are required to meet industrial, commercial, social and household needs for postal and telephone communications services respectively. Both companies are required to earn sufficient revenues for current and capital purposes, and RTE are similarly statutorily required. That is as far as I can go on this issue.