Taoiseach defends sale of State assets

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams: claimed privatisation of State assets would mean job losses, increased prices for the consumers and big profits for private speculators.

MICHAEL O'REGAN and MARIE O'HALLORAN

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he does not envisage that State assets will be disposed of this year.

“But I do envisage that you could have the commencement and realisation of some of the sale of State assets in 2013,” he added.

Mr Kenny said the Government’s objective was to reach the disposal of State assets, valued at €3 billion, at the appropriate time while securing the best price.

The Taoiseach was replying in the Dáil this morning to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who said the announcement should have been made by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin in the Dáil chamber, rather than at a press conference in his department.

Mr Adams asked if consideration was also being given to the sell-off of Aer Lingus and Coillte when market conditions were right. He warned that privatisation would mean job losses, increased prices for the consumers and big profits for private speculators.

Mr Kenny said it had been made perfectly clear this morning Mr Howlin would make known the details, following yesterday’s Government decision. He added that if anything happened relating to Coillte, “it is the trees and not the land that is going to be disposed of”.

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