The Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources says he is not in favour of breaking up the ESB. Pat Rabbitte says people do not appreciate the importance of having our own electricity networks in Ireland.

Minister Rabbitte made the comments in an interview with the Irish Independent. He says having our own ESB Network is vital.

"I don't think that people who don't follow this debate closely appreciate the significance and importance to Ireland of building out the networks and having control of that," he said. "People take energy security for granted".

Some of the the assets of the ESB were to be sold off under the terms of the EU-IMF bailout. But so far only the retail arm of Bord Gais has been put on the market.

Sale of Bord Gais retail

Mr. Rabbitte says the focus for now is primarily on the sale of the Bord Gais retail arm. "It's going to the market this year and I expect it will be concluded this year".

"I don't have great difficulty in that disposal and freeing up the company to focus on the creation of a water utility company under State ownership" he added.

Speaking at an event in Dublin this morning the Minister said even though Bord Gais has been put up for sale the same thing should not happen to the ESB.