Semi-states in line for financial stock take

THE Government is creating an expert group to “assess the value” of semi-state companies – and hasn’t ruled out a sell-off which could yield billions of euro.

It is insisting, however, that the main purpose of the group will be to examine the financial position of the semi-states and determine whether “efficiencies” can be made.

Economist Colm McCarthy, the author of last year’s Bord Snip report which advised the Government on ways to chop public spending, will be a member of the group and may chair it. Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said the Government wanted “an inventory” of state assets as it prepared to decide on how best to save €3 billion in December’s budget.