Ms Helen Downes:

In response to Senator Barrett, like many other stakeholders, we are relying on the Government to make the right decision on the sale of Aer Lingus. We represent a significant body of businesses in the mid-west region. As Dr. Borthwick said, this will be an informed decision once the Government gets the feedback from stakeholders. We are not totally against consolidation but if a deal were to be struck we would ask that clear, tangible guarantees would be put in place and that they would be legally binding and enforceable.