Govt 'in fairyland' over using state-assets money for stimulus: SF
The state's energy companies should be safe-guarded and used to re-grow the economy, not sold off as part of a fire-sale of State assets, Sinn Féin has said.
The party is accusing the Government of short-sightedness after announcements this week that more assets will be sold in addition to the minority stake in the ESB already announced.
The Government wishes to use at least some of the revenue for investment purposes, with the Troika understood to favour using the money to reduce Ireland's debt.
However, Sinn Féin have said that using the money from such sales for stimulus is not an option.
Dublin TD and deputy leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald said: "The EU and IMF have made absolutely clear in the memorandum of understanding that monies that come from any fire sale of state assets will be used to pay off debts, so the Government is kind of in fairyland when they say they'll use this money for stimulus.
"It's very clear that those monies will be used to pay off the debt."
