Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to note that those promoting the takeover of Aer Lingus by British Airways have had a free run in the media today - on two radio stations and headlines on two newspapers, the Irish Independentand The Irish Times. Those of us who are responsible for the 25% stake in the company that the public does own are constrained by ridiculous takeover rules from the Irish Stock Exchange and we cannot answer back.

I want to assure our friends in the media that it is not just the people of north Dublin or in the regions of Ireland who are concerned about anti-competitiveness mergers by legacy airlines. It is also a respectable position to hold in international economics journals. I want the media to stop trying to portray the opponents as some kind of plastic Paddies or something holding out for something that does not have a future.