Privatisation — when will they ever learn?

THE ESB, after its latest price rise, warned of further increases on a bimonthly basis.

While fuel costs have increased, this in no way justifies the massive price hikes.

It seems the ESB is being fattened up for privatisation just like eircom — and what a disaster that turned out to be. Before privatisation, due to investment by taxpayers, we had the best telecoms network in Europe.

Now, due to lack of investment and refusal to unbundle local loops, we have one of the most backward and most costly in Europe.

We are even being overtaken by many emerging economies in Asia and there is a real danger that many of our hi-tech industries will move out because of our inadequate and overpriced telecoms infrastructure.

Government ministers seem to have learned nothing from these privatisation scandals.

They continue to hand over toll roads to well-connected private companies who make multimillion euro profits for minimal risk by overcharging for roads that drivers have little choice but to use.

They plan also to sell off (probably at a knockdown price, given recent fuel increases) the national strategic asset that is Aer Lingus.

When will they ever learn?

Dessie Ellis

19 Dunsink Road

Finglas

Dublin 11