Sell-off of State Assets not in National Interest-Nugent
Cork City Council tonight passed a motion, proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent, opposing the planned sell-off of state assets as not in the national interest.
Speaking afterwards Cllr Nugent said:
“I welcome the council’s backing for Sinn Féin’s campaign of opposition to the government’s decision to sell off state assets.”
“Rather than auctioning off the family silver, we should be using commercial semi-state companies as an engine to drive Ireland’s economic recovery.”
“Selling profitable state companies to pay down a tiny fraction of the national debt is a short-term measure with a long-term cost. Bord Gáis and the ESB are successful, self-financing companies that have been delivering world class energy infrastructure across Ireland for generations and providing sustainable jobs benefitting generations of families.”
“Flogging off the last of the state’s share in Aer Lingus for small change also makes absolutely no sense. Retaining the remaining 25% share in Aer Lingus is vital to ensure Ireland’s connectivity to Europe, the US and the rest of the world. Guaranteeing the future of the airline’s Heathrow slots is also of strategic importance.”
“Coillte is an important rural employer delivering sustainable jobs to parts of the country blighted by record levels of unemployment. Selling off the harvesting rights would not be in the public interest. Instead the Government should be working with the Coillte to develop the massive potential of the forestry sector for timber production, biomass and eco-tourism.”
“Rather than privatising these companies, Sinn Féin wants the government to work directly with them to deliver a strategic plan for job creation and training. There is potentially a significant role for commercial semi-state companies in Ireland’s economic recovery – an opportunity that will be missed if the planned sell-off goes ahead.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
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