Vol. 464 No. 3
37 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the State-sponsored bodies under his control; the plans, if any, he has to privatise any of these bodies; and, if so, if he will give details of these plans. [8102/96]
The commercial State companies under my control are as follows: Aer Lingus Group, Aer Rianta, Irish Aviation Authority, Coras Iompair Éireann, Electricity Supply Board, Bord Gáis Éireann, Bord na Móna, Irish National Petroleum Corporation, Telecom Éireann, and An Post.
With regard to the issue of privatisation, I refer the Deputy to section 21 of the Government's programme for renewal which clearly states that State assets will not be sold except where it protects employment and is in the long-term strategic interest of the company and its shareholders. It also gives a commitment to the Government retaining a majority State ownership in these companies.
With the exception of the proposed Telecom Éireann strategic alliance, involving the sale of up to 35 per cent of the company, there are no plans to embark on a similar exercise in any of the other State companies under my control.
