Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
46 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount the Government has received from the ESB following the publication of its annual results; if the current profitability of the company will ensure he resists calls for it to be privatised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13708/04]
View answerThe ESB annual report and accounts for 2003 have not yet been published. I can confirm, however, that I have received the annual report and accounts from the company and I am preparing to present these to Government shortly. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on their contents ahead of their submission to Government and tabling in the Library of the House. I do have an understanding with the company about dividend policy in the medium term and dividend information will appear in the published accounts.
In any consideration of the future of ESB, I strongly oppose the privatisation of the transmission and distribution systems which, in my view, are critical national assets and should remain in State ownership. I am also opposed to any privatisation which would result in a private monopoly or near monopoly in the power generation sector. I would like to confirm here what I said to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 10 March and to the Seanad last Thursday, 6 May, that the privatisation of any part of the company is not on my agenda. This remains my position.
