Seamus Brennan
Question:12 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his policy in regard to the disposal of State companies, State assets or parts thereof. [3781/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of State Assets.
The Government's policy regarding the sale of State assets is clearly set out in the policy document, A Government of Renewal, which states that “State assets will not be sold except where it protects employment and is in the long term strategic interest of the company and its stakeholders. Any resources released as a result will be used for job creation. We will retain majority State ownership in these companies”.
Will the Minister confirm that the Government is united behind the decision to dispose of a part of Telecom Éireann, to break-up RTE to permit private competition and to introduce a bus competition Bill to permit competition with CIE in the marketplace?Is the Minister saying that there will be no sale of State assets unless the purchaser gives a guarantee that employment will not be reduced? Is this a request he will make of any potential purchaser, for example, of Telecom Éireann? Has he told this to the Americans and the nine or ten other groups who are bidding for a part of Telecom Éireann? Are they aware of this condition and is he being honest in not telling them this up front?
The terms and conditions in the disposal of any State asset will be set down clearly. Unlike the attempts the Government of which the Deputy was a member made to sell off State assets I have no preconceived ideas as to whom they should be sold.
To which attempt is the Minister referring?
The Minister should be specific.
The Deputy will recall C & W.
What about C & W? The Minister should get the facts.
The Deputy mentioned Telecom Éireann. He is obviously referring to the strategic alliance——
One voice, and the voice only of the Deputy who tabled the question.
The Minister is misleading the House inadvertently.
The Deputy should not use that word.
Inadvertently?
That is parliamentary——
It is inadvertently misleading the House.
——but it is still a little doubtful.
I am trying to be charitable.
The Deputy knows full well the procedure at this time.
You are giving the Minister the benefit of the doubt.
This is Priority Question Time and the only Deputy who can raise a supplementary question is the Deputy who tabled the question. The Deputy should not intervene at all at this time.
On a point of order——
Rubbish. Has the Minister anything else to say?
A Cheann Comhairle, you can see I am having difficulty——
On a point of order——
No, Deputy. I am dealing with disorder from you and I will not entertain a point of order.
Can I clarify a point of order with you?
I would be grateful if you would do that.
Is it the purpose of Question Time to elicit facts from the Minister?
I have told the Deputy that he has not tabled a priority question and he is not entitled to intervene.
I appreciate that. I do not wish to intervene, I merely want to make that point. I want the facts.
I will have no argument. Minister, are you finished with the reply?
I did not get an opportunity to begin my reply because of the interruptions from the back benches.
Before I leave the Chair I must say that the time for dealing with priority questions is quite exhausted. I have advised the Leas-Cheann Comhairle that we will deal with Deputy Treacy's priority question in ordinary time.
In respect of the question raised by Deputy Brennan, I do not agree that Telecom Éireann, in exploring the possibility of a strategic partner, would sell off any of its assets. In seeking a partner, Telecom could gain a number of benefits. It could attract new equity or access to advanced technology in addition to generally helping to develop its services in the Irish market and abroad. It is too early to say what might transpire on this matter and any agreement on a strategic partner will have regard to the Government's clear-cut policies on public enterprise. We are in the process of negotiations. Telecom is examining this aspect of it. The CWU and my Department have examined it also. It is a priority in respect of my own Ministry and, in due course, I will bring forward my proposals in regard to support for Telecom that is much needed in an era of technological change.
My question referred to the Government's policies across the State companies sector. Will the Minister confirm—he has not yet done so —that he is saying to the potential purchasers of any part of a State company that no part of a company is on the market unless all employment can be guaranteed? That is what the programme for Government says.
Any decision in relation to partnerships or the sale of any part of an asset of a State company will take into account all the dimensions involved. In relation to any strategic alliance for Telecom I will be examining the ability of a partner to advance, promote and develop the interests of Telecom both at home and abroad.
That is not in the programme.