Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The disposal of State assets is an important component of the Government's NewERA agenda. While it may be prudent not to sell the State's share in Aer Lingus to Ryanair today, it is possible that Ryanair will acquire the State's shareholding by a circuitous route or through a third party within a short period of its being sold. The share in Aer Lingus is of much more strategic value than the Government has indicated. For this reason, I will strongly oppose any decision to sell the 24% stake in the company.

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