Vol. 482 No. 6
45 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the action, if any, she has taken to ensue that semi-State companies will reserve the right of their employees to purchase 15 per cent of the shares of their companies at a fair price; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18982/97]
It is a matter for the Government as shareholder, not the individual State companies, to reserve the right of the employees to purchase shareholdings.
The main focus of Government policy in relation to State companies is that where necessary to respond better to the needs of customers, liberalisation of sectors, and growing competition, or the need to enhance the competitiveness of the country, they should become more efficient and effective. In some cases this requires major transformation and sometimes restructuring. Employee share ownership schemes can play a role in bringing about a partnership and consensus approach to such transformations. Proposals for such schemes will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Fair price and fair value will always be part of any such proposals.
