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

At this stage, I do not have any significant developments to report on the proposed offer by IAG for Aer Lingus. However, I expect that the Government will be in a position to make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks.

The Government's interdepartmental steering group and its advisers have continued their engagement with IAG. This engagement has centred on the considerations set out in my statement of 24 February. These include legally-binding permanent commitments on the Heathrow slots and term-based commitments on routes; clarity on the overall employment prospects, with particular reference to the timeframe within which net additional employment could be created; further details and clarity on transatlantic growth and opportunities for growth at Cork, Shannon and Knock airports; confirmation of the nature and acceptability of any oversight measures on the Heathrow slots and routes, subject to any EU considerations; and evaluation by the steering group and its advisers of the financial terms offered.

There has been useful engagement on the issues by both sides. IAG has provided further details on the issues of concern to Government that were highlighted in my statement and discussions are progressing. I expect that the steering group will report back to me shortly. I indicated previously I do not want this process to be drawn out unnecessarily and I expect that it can be brought to a conclusion in the coming weeks.

See this speech in context