In light of the announcement this morning that bids in respect of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy have been rejected is the Government still committed to the sale of Bord Gáis Energy in the right environment and at the right price and when will the common arrangements for gas Bill be introduced? I am mindful of the need for a proper stimulus package countrywide, including in my constituency of Kildare South in the context of the southern distributor route which is dependent on such funding.

The Bill is listed for publication next year. Earlier this morning, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources reported the Seanad amendments to the Gas Regulation Bill 2013 to the Dáil, which legislation separates the gas networks and gas generation entities. As already stated publicly by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, Bord Gáis Energy was and is still for sale. While bids in respect of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy have been received they were not acceptable to Government. In the case of the sale of Irish Life, the first offers received were not acceptable but the second offers were accepted. It is hoped the same will apply in respect of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy.

As stated, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, earlier put through the House the Gas Regulation Bill 2013 which deals with the separation of the two entities. This forms part of the Government's commitment in this area. In answer to the Deputy's question, the Government remains committed to the sale of Bord Gáis Energy but it will be sold not in a fire sale but only following receipt of a proper offer, taking into account the intrinsic value of the entity. This has always been the case.