Vol. 480 No. 6
147 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of the situation in relation to the entitlements of retired staff in Telecom Éireann to the shareholding proposals; the way in which shares will be granted; the basis on which this will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14999/97]
Since my appointment as Minister for Public Enterprise, in June last, there have been discussions involving the Government's strategic partner in Telecom Éireann, KPN/Telia, Telecom Éireann management and the union representatives about a proposed employee share ownership programme. One of the major elements of the programme is to be a scheme for the issue of shares to employees to encourage their active participation as shareholders in the company in return for the implementation of a transformation plan which requires, inter alia, major change within the company.
As these discussions are ongoing, it is too early at this stage to comment on the terms under which a share scheme might become operational.
