Was the Minister for State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, articulating Government policy when he was quoted in the Irish Independent on Friday saying, “We want to maximise the assets of the State in the light of the difficult situation in which we find ourselves”, referring to the crisis in Government finances? He outlined a plan to price any asset under control of the Office of Public Works that could be flogged to fill a gap in the Government's finances, as a result of the disastrous Government policy of massive tax breaks for the rich and big corporations. Does the Taoiseach agree that this intended plunder of the Office of Public Works, which I refer to as “Parlon's pillage”, would be extremely reckless? It would be wrong to use such assets for short-term benefit while sacrificing investment in future social and community needs for which many of these lands and other assets could be used.

Does the Taoiseach agree that the example of the National Aquatic Centre, which is to be ready in time for the Special Olympics, bears out my point? It is built on publicly owned land that, if it had been flogged to a speculator ten years ago, would have to bought back for tens of millions of euro of taxpayers' money.

Is it the policy of this Government, provided it survives, to privatise every significant public asset and enterprise in the State during this session, in view of the Minister for Transport's clear view that Aer Lingus should be privatised and his attack on public transport with the privatisation of 25% of Dublin Bus? In terms of his policy of privatisation, Deputy Brennan ideologically puts himself somewhere between Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan, as does the rest of the Government.

Is it not recklessness to sell off assets that will be needed for community and social purposes to make up for this Government's disastrous handling of public finances, instead of preserving and developing them for community and social uses?

The Deputy's question covers a number of Departments.

But only one policy.

The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, is looking at areas within the Office of Public Works that are not being used for any useful purpose and are not required by the agency involved. If, after review, they are not going to be used in the medium or long-term, they should perhaps be sold off. That seems an eminently sensible thing to do. He is not looking at any existing services or utilities used by the public. If he had the opportunity to sell off some of the assets that are not being used, he would be able to invest further in the infrastructure of present utilities.

The Minister for Transport confirmed there were no plans to privatise any of the CIE companies but outlined how he believed they could be restructured, with Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann operating as independent commercial companies that will give a more efficient service, with more flexibility for the staff and organisations involved.

The Minister has engaged in discussions with staff in Aer Lingus, who have managed to fight their way out of the difficult position they were in two years ago, are now back in profit and are looking to the future. He is engaged in discussions with Aer Lingus and the board, management and staff of CIE.