Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe Senator Darragh O'Brien made very valid points on the remaining 25% stake the State holds in Aer Lingus. Despite the offers from IAG, International Airlines Group, incorporating British Airways and Iberia, I do not believe it is an attractive offer. We must remember we are not joined by land or a tunnel to any other landmass. The State has no shareholding in the ferry companies operating out of this country. It only has this 25% stake in Aer Lingus which is very important.

The significance of that 25% holding is that we have the Heathrow slots. I believe that connectivity is all important, it is everything as far as we are concerned. It is far more important than any short-term cash because of what it enables us to continue to earn through business -----