Vol. 401 No. 2
10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications his views on the latest annual report of Telecom Éireann; if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the chairman of Telecom Éireann, regarding possible privatisation of the company at the time of the publication of the report; if he has, or plans to have, discussions on this matter with the chairman of Telecom Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am very happy with the latest annual report and accounts of Telecom Éireann, reflecting as it does the continued success of the company and improvement of services to the extent of a profit before tax of £79 million this year and the first dividend payment to the State. I have also noted the comments made by the chairman which reflect his own views and which he is perfectly entitled to make.
On the matter of privatisation, I have had no such discussions with the chairman of Telecom Éireann or anybody else on that matter and there are no plans for such discussions at this stage.
