Neo-Stickys privatising public facilities
PSF have repeatedly opposed privatization in the 26 counties. However they appear to be saying one thing and doing another. The Assembly Executive has endorsed Crown Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy’s decision to privatise all public ports this year. In February, Murphy announced that Northern Ireland’s Trust Ports would “cease to be public corporations”. The ports in Belfast, Derry, Coleraine and Warrenpoint will now compete against each other as private entities, opening the way for private companies to take over. Between 2003 and 2005, Belfast Harbour alone made over £44m in profits. To add insult to injury, £14m of public money will be invested in Belfast Harbour between 2006 and 2010 for the new private owners. Perhaps, instead of Neo-Stickies, they should be known as Neo-Gombeens?
PSF have repeatedly opposed privatization in the 26 counties. However they appear to be saying one thing and doing another. The Assembly Executive has endorsed Crown Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy’s decision to privatise all public ports this year. In February, Murphy announced that Northern Ireland’s Trust Ports would “cease to be public corporations”. The ports in Belfast, Derry, Coleraine and Warrenpoint will now compete against each other as private entities, opening the way for private companies to take over. Between 2003 and 2005, Belfast Harbour alone made over £44m in profits. To add insult to injury, £14m of public money will be invested in Belfast Harbour between 2006 and 2010 for the new private owners. Perhaps, instead of Neo-Stickies, they should be known as Neo-Gombeens?