Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012
218. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the disposal of non-strategic public utilities; his plans to retain control of critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55413/12]
View answerI would draw the Deputy’s attention to my announcement of February 22 last in which I outlined the shape and scale of the State asset disposal programme that is to be pursued.
In brief, the programme that the Government has agreed consists of:-
- The sale of Bord Gáis Éireann’s energy business (but not including BGÉ’s gas transmission or distribution systems or the two gas interconnectors, which will remain in State ownership);
- The sale of some of ESB’s non-strategic power generation capacity;- Disposal of the State’s remaining shareholding in Aer Lingus, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to Government;
- After further consideration, and having ruled out the sale of Coillte’s land holdings, the Government has also determined that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte forests will be proposed for sale.
In preparing this programme, the Government has been careful to safeguard the position of strategic infrastructure such as the electricity and gas networks, and the House will note that such assets do not form part of the disposal programme.
