ESB will not be sold off in Government lifetime, says Ahern

THE sell-off of the ESB in the lifetime of the Government has been ruled out by the Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern.

Stating that he does not want to see a public monopoly turned into a private monopoly, the Minister said he does not want to see any privatisation as long as the ESB holds more than 50% of the market share.

The network would have to remain in State hands as a key infrastructure, the Minister also said.