Staff in the ESB may ballot for industrial action over Government plans to sell off part of the company.
The Unite trade union, which represents electricity workers, said that "as things stand today any sale will be opposed using every means at our disposal".
Unite regional secretary Jimmy Kelly said: “Once we know more detail we will, if needed, hold a ballot for industrial action.”
He said the union had consulted with members over time and it was "fundamentally opposed to the fire sale of state assets in order to mistakenly right the wrongs of the banking disaster".
"There has been no consistency in terms of either the last or the present Government’s stance on the issue and today’s lack of any detail means that our members will remain uncertain of their future."
"Just as importantly, Ireland remains uncertain about its energy security. Mention has been made of the possible sale of non strategic energy assets but if that is the case, what can be their value and how can this be of benefit to Ireland?"
"We will remain in consultation with our members but as things stand today any sale will be opposed using every means at our disposal."
Meanwhile the trade union Impact said that any sale of Aer Lingus or Coillte assets risked damage to the Irish economy.
Impact national secretary Matt Staunton said: “Ireland is heavily dependent on international connectivity. In addition to the transatlantic and Dublin/Cork/Shannon routes to London and other European cities, the airline’s Heathrow slots are among its considerable strategic assets. Although the sale of the Government’s stake would not mean that flights on these routes would stop overnight, it would leave the Government powerless to influence future route changes or to stop an undesirable future change in ownership.”
Mr Staunton also expressed concerns that, if Coillte ended up in private ownership, new owners would commence an immediate asset-stripping exercise to achieve a quick return on their investment.
