Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This question relates to the State's remaining shareholding in Aer Lingus. The State's shareholding in Aer Lingus is one of the assets included in the State asset disposal programme. The Government agreed that the shareholding would be sold at an appropriate time, but only when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to be agreed by Government. A steering group has been established to examine the potential options for the disposal of the State's stake and the issues that may need to be addressed in the context of the disposal of the stake. The steering group is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA.

There is no preferred option at this juncture for the sale of the State’s shareholding. All possible options are being considered and any final decision will be informed by the outcome of the steering group's analysis. As the Deputy will be aware, the European Commission is currently conducting an in-depth examination of Ryanair's offer for Aer Lingus under the EU merger control rules. The Commission's decision is due in early February 2013 and my Department continues to monitor the case closely.

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