Ryan: Selling semi-state businesses makes no sense

SELLING the country’s semi-state commercial businesses should not be seen as a panacea for budgetary problems, according to Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan.

He said, despite calls to sell off assets held by companies such as the ESB and Bord Gáis, he did not believe it made business sense.

Mr Ryan said the companies should be seen as ongoing cash producers rather than a source of windfall.