Vol. 501 No. 6
140 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has authorised the participation by her Department or any relevant State body in any public-private partnership; the number, if any, of these projects under way; if there are any possible public-private partnerships under negotiation between her Department and private investors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6709/99]
My Department has been examining the potential for engaging in public-private partnerships in a number of areas. In the case of public transport, Arthur Andersen consultants have been appointed to advise my Department on a public-private partnership approach to the light rail project; their report is expected later this month. However, at present, the only area where discussions are ongoing is in telecommunications, where the provisions of large capacity international telecommunications connectivity is being examined.
