IMF pushes for fire sale of state assets

THE Government is under pressure to sell off most of the state-owned companies to raise about €5 billion to offset some of the country’s debt.

The sum set out by the IMF in its latest report into how the country is dealing with the crisis, is twice what the Government has agreed to and could see the break-up and sale of 16 semi-state companies.

These include the ESB, Bord Gáis, Aer Lingus, Bord na Móna, Coillte, the National Stud, CIÉ, airports and ports and the National Lottery.