The Taoiseach has rejected Opposition claims that his remarks about the blocking of an ESB bid for a major contract in Poland, would do "untold damage" to the ESB's reputation internationally.
Mr Ahern reiterated that the decision to block the ESB from making a bid for eight electricity companies in Poland was based purely on commercial considerations.
The ESB wanted to invest £600 million on a project which was expected to rise to £1 billion. "That would ultimately be bigger than the ESB itself."
He added that the Government's first priority was that the ESB would deal with the major investment programme for its Irish consumers.
The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, had challenged him to correct remarks he made in the Dail on Tuesday and asked if he realised "the extraordinary damage he has done to the reputation of this company".
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, asked if the Cabinet sub-committee would lay down ongoing commercial policy for the ESB, since it had taken over the functions of the board.
Mr Ahern said Mr Quinn was "entirely incorrect".
The Taoiseach said: "It might have worked out satisfactorily but the view in the Department of Finance, my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise was that the risk could be just too great. It was on that basis the Government made its decision. "
Mr Ahern added: "The ESB is facing a €3 billion upgrading programme between now and 2006, for which it requires all its technical and management expertise."
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