Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:129 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the proposals the Government has for the sale of State assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14491/02]
Written Answers. - Semi-State Bodies.
The Government's policy on the semi-State sector is set out in An Agreed Programme for Government. This programme stipulates that the Government is committed to ensuring that the commercial semi-State sector provides services of world-class quality at a competitive price to the consumer; will seek to secure a viable long-term future for State companies without ideological preconceptions; will approach the issue of the most appropriate form of ownership or structure for State companies on a case-by-case basis; will ensure that public enterprise is managed in the spirit of social partnership, with a view to achieving optimum service delivery and value for the public; and will support the maximum commercial freedom of semi-State companies, subject to the fulfilment of national strategic and balanced regional policy objectives.
The position of each commercial State company will be considered by the relevant Government Minister, in the first instance, in the context of this policy. Other assets, such as property, which are surplus to requirements, may be disposed of from time to time in accordance with established procedures.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 123.