The ESB’s trade unions are seeking a meeting with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte, over the Government’s request that the company sell €400 million in assets.

The Government wants the ESB to sell “non-strategic” power plants to raise €400 million, which will be paid to the State as a special dividend as part of its plan to sell State assets to comply with the Republic’s bailout deal.

The company’s group of unions opposes the plan, and said in a statement yesterday that despite its members agreeing to 20 per cent in payroll cuts, the ESB is still struggling to raise cash to do essential work.