Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is now very much a matter for IAG as to whether it wishes to make a further proposal which we would then consider in the way I have outlined. In response to the Deputy's specific question about the nature of assurances, we have not received any further assurances beyond the proposed deal that IAG made available a number of weeks ago which I have said was not acceptable to the Government and which did not provide the basis upon which I could give an irrevocable commitment to sell our share in Aer Lingus. Regarding the Deputy's point on access, we have always made clear that in evaluating any proposed bid we would look beyond the price of a share, important as that is and I have always specifically referenced access as being vital in our considerations.

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