Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

It is a serious problem and the presence of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in the House is an opportunity.

Ryanair has made an offer for Aer Lingus whose board has treated it as a hostile bid and indicated it will not contact any of its shareholders with respect to it. What is the Government's position on this matter which would require new legislation? Is it continuing to consider the offer as valid or does it share the view of the Aer Lingus board that it is a hostile bid?

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