Ardnacrusha and Moneypoint not for sale

TWO key electricity-generating stations in Clare will not be sold as part of the Government’s part-privatisation of some State assets, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.
Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has reassured the Clare Labour TD that Moneypoint and Ardnacrusha are considered “strategic” facilities by the Government and therefore will not be sold as part of the agreement with the Troika to sell State assets.
The Government has decided to put Bord Gáis’ energy business up for sale as part of a process that could see a new player emerge on the Irish energy market.
Some of ESB’s “non-strategic power-generation capacity” will also be sold and consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte – but crucially not the sale of land – and of the State’s remaining 25% stake in Aer Lingus when market conditions are favourable and the Government can get an “acceptable price”. The measures are expected to raise up to €3 billion.
Deputy McNamara said the decision to retain these two key stations and Coillte lands in public ownership demonstrates that while the county must abide by the EU/IMF deal it inherited, the Government is determined to retain as much as possible in the hands of the Irish people.
“Ardnacrusha and Moneypoint are two treasured pieces of family silver. Retaining them in public ownership shows the value of Labour’s role in Government in defending the national interest in so far as we possibly can,” he said.