Semi-state companies – Privatisation admits defeat

IT must be very tempting for Finance Minister Brian Lenihan to look to our more desirable semi-state companies and wonder what they might fetch if they were flogged off.

The windfall might temporarily balance the books but there are very many good and long-term reasons to oppose privatisation.

As it’s not exactly a secret that we’re in a dire situation Ireland Inc would go to the market in a weak position. We could expect investors to treat us as a pawnbroker might treat a newly impoverished customer.