Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have already answered Deputy Martin in this regard. The Government has a duty of care to consider carefully all the indicators that might be contained in this particular offer, which is the third offer. Our Government must also take into account services and connections via Heathrow, competition in the air transport market, jobs in the Irish aviation sector, the Aer Lingus brand, the question of the impact on the economies of the region and so on but, as I said to the Deputy and to Deputy Martin, the board of Aer Lingus has met and it has issued a statement to the effect that it is willing to consider the offer being made by IAG. The working party, the interdepartmental group set up by the Minister and the personnel to be appointed by tender will engage with IAG over the coming days and weeks.

Given the rules that apply to the stock market, I am not in a position because of those rules to say anything, but we take into account very carefully all the issues that apply here, and all the issues are relevant to the Government and its job in being the guardian of the public interest in this case. That is the process that is ahead and, as I said, the Government will pay great attention and give comprehensive consideration to all the issues that arise from the offer being made. The Deputy is right in that if a decision were to be made in this regard in any way, it would have to have the approval of Dáil Éireann. These matters will be given very careful consideration both by the Minister in weighing up all the issues involved and taking into account the shareholding responsibility of the Ministry for Finance. The Government will weigh up all those options, taking those issues very seriously into account, particularly connectivity, workers' employment, regional impact and the future for our country in respect of this particular matter.

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