Ivan Yates
Question:3 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the State companies, if any, that he is planning to partially or totally privatise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Privatisation of State Companies.
The Government's policy regarding the ownership of State enterprises is clearly set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government which states that the Government remains committed to the further development and strengthening of a dynamic and efficient State enterprise sector. It guarantees that the main strategic utilities and enterprises will remain in the ownership of the Irish people, while having the freedom to enter joint ventures with the private and co-operative sectors.
Is the Minister aware of the report in one Sunday newspaper which suggested the deal with Cable & Wireless went beyond a strategic alliance and was a privatisation with a yield to the Exchequer? Is he aware of the statement by the Tánaiste in Cork last year that there would be no further privatisation of State companies in the lifetime of this Government? Will he clarify the future of the proposed deal between Telecom Éireann and Cable & Wireless?
Policy in my Department is not dictated by Sunday newspaper reports. I have made clear statements about the position of Telecom Éireann and refer the Deputy to the Official Report of 3 March 1994 when, responding to the Adjournment Debate on proposed private sector investment in Telecom Éireann, I stated:
The mandate laid down for State companies in the Programme for Government is that "the main strategic initiatives and enterprises remain in the ownership of the Irish people while having the freedom to enter joint ventures with the private sector. It is in this context, therefore, and in keeping with this mandate that I have asked Telecom Éireann to complete an examination it has already begun to evaluate fully the role, nature, scope and structure of strategic alliances...
It will be clear from the statement that neither I nor the Government contemplate privatisation of Telecom Éireann. We await the report from it on that basis.
Is the Minister aware of the commitments given by the Labour Party prior to the last election regarding the future of State companies? Is it not the case that he, in relation to Telecom Éireann, the horticultural division of Bord na Móna and some of the generating capacity of the ESB, is contemplating privatisation which is in direct conflict with Labour Party policy? What is the Government's policy regarding this obvious rift between the two parties in Government?
I refer the Deputy to the Programme for Government which is the basis upon which the Fianna Fáil and Labour Parties entered Government. I outlined it to him a few times already.
Do not worry about them.
Can I take it that the Minister is categorically reassuring the House that there will be no privatisation of the three companies referred to?
I assure the Deputy that if he wants to know Government policy on the development of State enterprises——
That is not the question.
——it is in the Programme for Government. If there are any future developments we will keep him posted.
Keep the Labour Party posted.