Don’t sell state assets

IT would be a mistake to sell off our state assets. That would put them beyond the scope of any government scrutiny. Other countries now regret their experiences with Thatchernomics. Privatised industries soon increase their prices.

They can strip the assets and sell on the companies to the highest bidder. A quick sale of semi-state bodies would yield a temporary profit. It would be another surrender of sovereignty. The Government must re-assert its authority. It should restore responsibility to the wider civil service. Give them the teeth to carry out unexpected audits. The reform of the public service will then be most effective.

Michael Mernagh