Tá sé tráthúil go bhfuilimid ag caint faoi dhíol sócmhainní Stáit. I would like to build on the questions we asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, about the potential sale of State assets. I understand Ministers were briefed on the New ERA report last week. Has the Economic Management Council considered the report? A newspaper reported over the weekend that a minority share in the ESB would not now be sold. Will the Taoiseach confirm that there is no intention to sell a minority share in an integrated ESB? Will he confirm that consideration has been given to Bord Gáis and Coillte and indicate what decisions have been made in that regard? We know Fine Gael has been in favour of the sale of State assets for a long time and that the Labour Party is not so keen. It believes the proceeds of the sale of State assets should be invested in job creation. We all agree with job creation. Will the Taoiseach tell us whether the troika is willing to accept the decision to commit the proceeds of the possible sale of State assets to job creation? Has it agreed to allow a percentage of the proceeds to be used for that purpose? Are water, gas and electricity utilities being looked at when consideration is being given to State assets? Will the Taoiseach confirm that despite what the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, said before Christmas in response to a parliamentary question, there will be no sale in 2012 of State assets of significance - particularly the ESB - which is what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform seemed to indicate?

I said no such thing.

Before I respond to Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, I would like to recognise the loss to Deputy Michéal Martin and his family of his father. I express my condolences to him; his good wife, Mary; their family; and the extended Martin family. I happen to know how the death of a parent feels, as it happened to me recently. I am sure the House will join me in expressing our condolences and sincere sympathy to Deputy Martin on his personal loss.

Thank you, Taoiseach. I certainly join you on behalf of other Members.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has just been answering questions on the matter raised by Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. Deputy Ó Cuív will be aware that the programme for Government states that the Government intends to realise €2 billion in respect of the sale of State assets at an appropriate time, and not as a fire sale but based on the Government's decisions in this regard. Clearly, the troika in its first number of analyses of Irish performance was of the view that all of the proceeds from any sales of State assets should be used for debt reduction. As Deputy Ó Cuív is aware, the Government has had a number of negotiations with the troika which has resulted in changes in the memorandum of understanding in a number of areas. The Government also made a formal decision in respect of the ESB. The Government is now in negotiations with the troika and concluded some discussions last week for an extended process of possible State assets. The conclusion is that the troika has quite clearly stated it would be prepared to consider a sizeable proportion of any assets realised as investment for job creation. These discussions are continuing. The Ministers made progress in that area with the troika last week.

I thank the Taoiseach for the words of commiseration with my colleague, Deputy Micheál Martin, which are deeply appreciated. We fully appreciate that the Taoiseach suffered a similar loss recently and I thank him for his kind words.

I welcome the Taoiseach's reference to a sizeable proportion, although I think we would all agree that all of the money should be used for job creation and investment for work. At the end of the day, the only resolution of the financial problems is to grow the economy.

Is the Taoiseach saying the Government is still committed to selling a minority stake in the whole of the ESB, including the critical, strategic infrastructure of the networks of both transmission and distribution? Will he not agree there could be long-term economic consequences if part of the basic strategic infrastructure, such as the ESB, gas or water networks, is privatised? Does the Taoiseach agree with his colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who seems to believe and with whom I would not necessarily argue on the point that the sale of the strategic infrastructure of Eircom, even though it achieved a very high price at the time and which would not be possible now, might not have been altogether wise, despite the price? At the moment, a significant price will not be achieved because the economy is depressed. Will the Taoiseach agree that no sales should proceed in the foreseeable future considering the state of the economy? Will he confirm whether the Government is still open to selling shares in the basic infrastructure of this country which could result in a very negative long-term effect on job creation?

I remind Deputy Ó Cuív that when his own Government considered this matter in the first instance, there was no inclusion for the possibility of investment for job creation out of the potential or possible sale of any State assets. The Government has no intention of selling the Irish taxpayer short. In fact, the troika in its discussions with both Ministers last week was not insisting that assets be sold by a particular date simply because of the changed economic circumstances.

Despite the overall situation in the country, a great deal of interest is being expressed in the potential of a number of assets. The State will not short-change the taxpayer. There is no intention of selling transmission lines or gas pipes which are a part of the strategic infrastructure which is vital to our economy. There is a difference between the sale of non-strategic assets and strategic assets. The expert review group will make recommendations. I assure Deputy Ó Cuív that the Government will make its decisions in light of the best interests of the taxpayer and the country and in compliance with the programme for Government which sets out to realise €2 billion over the period of the programme. The extant decision stands in respect of the ESB.

Following the discussions last week there is interest in having an extended list of possible or potential assets that might be sold. I repeat there was no pressure from the troika to deal with these by a particular date because the Government is fully intent on not selling strategic assets but instead is intent on achieving the best possible result for the taxpayer. The conclusion of the negotiations was a significant change from the original concept, in that the Government will now, with the agreement and co-operation of the troika, be able to invest a substantial proportion of the proceeds of the sale of assets into job creation and investment for work.

Táim leis an Taoiseach agus an Ceann Comhairle faoi bhás athair an Teachta Micheál Martin. Bhí mé ag caint le Micheál ag deireadh na seachtaine ach ba mhaith liom a rá sa Dáil ar son Shinn Féin go bhfuilimid ag smaoineamh air agus ar a chlann ag an am deacair seo.

Go raibh maith agat.