Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
72 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will clarify his recent statement that he has no intention of privatising ESB; if he has held talks with ESB unions in regard to their request for a 20% stake in the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13706/04]
View answerAs I stated in the Seanad last Thursday, 6 May, 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 also stated that I am opposed to any privatisation which would result in a private monopoly or near-monopoly in the power generation sector, and I confirmed that the privatisation of any part of the company is not on my agenda. This remains my position.
I can also confirm that, at the request of the ESB group of unions, GOU, bilateral discussions with my Department were held on 30 January and 3 March of this year. These discussions considered an aspiration by the GOU to increase its current 5% shareholding in the company to 19.9%. Government policy on employee share option plans and the question of going beyond 5% is clear, and the GOU have not put forward a case which fits within that policy.
