FG supports family silver being sold , whither Labour ?

[cricket]

In today's Sindo Michael Noonan comes out strongly in support of privatisation of state assets. Now is the time for Labour to put clear water between them and FG. But will they ?
Fine Gael will back sale of State assets - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

This could be a defining moment in Labour's development into a serious , policy driven party.

[wombat]

This could be a defining moment in Labour's development into a serious , policy driven party.

Gilmore says No

[Mushroom]

To clarify Noonan's position, what he stated was:-

"I favour privatisation. I don't see any point in holding on to State companies in monopoly situations if the private sector can do it as efficiently or more efficiently -- particularly when we are stretched, as we are. However, I wouldn't want to sell them off at the bottom of the market and we are at the bottom at the moment."

Seems sensible to me - although I really hope that Colllte won't be sold off to Bertie's latest sponsors.

[LeDroit]

This could be a new Tallaght Strategy Lite which I would support. The waste and corruption scandals in FAS and the overpayment scandals in utilities like the ESB amongst about 170 other inefficient quango wasters mean we have enormous scope to cut our budget deficit while simultaneously increasing competition, service quality and decreasing prices meaning this should be a no brainer.

However this will be the moment when Gilmore's mask slips. The logic will be so clear that his opposition to it will mean his attempt to protect trade union interests over the country's interest will be obvious. Labour will do what they were set up and are funded to do, namely to protect the unions.

The Greens would also appreciate if FG got them off the hook. They could vote against, satisfying their constituency, and FF could still get it done with FG's help.

[Red_93]

This could be a new Tallaght Strategy Lite which I would support. The waste and corruption scandals in FAS and the overpayment scandals in utilities like the ESB amongst about 170 other inefficient quango wasters mean we have enormous scope to cut our budget deficit while simultaneously increasing competition, service quality and decreasing prices meaning this should be a no brainer.

However this will be the moment when Gilmore's mask slips. The logic will be so clear that his opposition to it will mean his attempt to protect trade union interests over the country's interest will be obvious. Labour will do what they were set up and are funded to do, namely to protect the unions.

The Greens would also appreciate if FG got them off the hook. They could vote against, satisfying their constituency, and FF could still get it done with FG's help.

Seriously LeDroit, the more you bang on about labour and the unions the more you begin to sound like FT and the rest of those loons..... (and there's you talking about tinfoil hats on the other thread - hypocrite)

[LeDroit]

Seriously LeDroit, the more you bang on about labour and the unions the more you begin to sound like FT and the rest of those loons..... (and there's you talking about tinfoil hats on the other thread - hypocrite)

We'll see Red93. One of these days you're going to wake up and realise that you are in the trade unions political party. For some reason you just can't see it. Just watch Gilmore and listen as this report is prepared and launched.

[cricket]

We'll see Red93. One of these days you're going to wake up and realise that you are in the trade unions political party. For some reason you just can't see it. Just watch Gilmore and listen as this report is prepared and launched.

Yes , Red, time to cop yourself on and join a " developers " party .

[LeDroit]

Yes , Red, time to cop yourself on and join a " developers " party .

?

[wombat]

To clarify Noonan's position, what he stated was:-

"I favour privatisation. I don't see any point in holding on to State companies in monopoly situations if the private sector can do it as efficiently or more efficiently -- particularly when we are stretched, as we are. However, I wouldn't want to sell them off at the bottom of the market and we are at the bottom at the moment."

Seems sensible to me - although I really hope that Colllte won't be sold off to Bertie's latest sponsors.

The general FG attitude to state bodies seems to be to question whether a particular function needs to be done by the state and if not, sell it but use the revenue for investment rather than throwing it into the general govt. pot. One of Coveney's idea behind a holding company was to manage revenue between state companies. It's pretty silly to have 3 state owned companies generating electricity in "competition" with each other.

[Franzoni]

this will be a complete disaster if it's allowed to go ahead....we will all end up with services that don't work...and having worked in the private sector for over 23 years it's a complete myth to suggest that they would run things any better....trust me the incompetents are there as well in force....