Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government, as owner of DAA, is like any other shareholder in that it cannot direct a company in which it owns shares to breach a contract. To do so would amount to inducing a breach of contract and would be unlawful and render the Government liable to damages to Aer Lingus for all losses suffered. Let us put a few facts on the table.

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