The Workers’ Party have welcomed today’s announcement by the ESB that they intend to create more than 3,700 jobs over the next few years in a major development plan.

Workers Party President Michael Finnegan said the development shows the important of semi-state companies such as the ESB to this country at a time when tens of thousands of jobs are being lost on a monthly basis.

“The Workers’ Party has long pointed out that the ESB and other semi-state companies are the engine of our economy and have sustained the country at the most difficult times for over 80 years.  The creation of thousands of high-value jobs is an important boost to the country and also shows clearly that the semi-state sector, far from being the dinosaur which the likes of IBEC and others like to attack on a regular basis, is a dynamic and viable sector which must be expanded rather than privatised for short term gain”.

“The attacks on the ESB and further attempts to privatise it must now stop and it should be allowed to proceed with its vital plans without hindrance from the government or the European Union.   The unfettered capitalist market has failed dismally to meet the needs of the state and the Irish people and it is companies like the ESB who have the dynamism and vigour to turn the economy around and get the country moving again”, said Michael Finnegan.

Issued 16th April 2009