Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Government has made a decision with regard to allowing Aer Lingus to access private sector funding; when a decision on this matter is likely to be made; if discussions on this issue have been held with Aer Lingus unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4802/05]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to efforts by Aer Lingus unions to raise their shareholding in the national airline; his views on such a move; the way in which this will affect plans to privatise or sell off any part of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4761/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is still considering the privatisation of Aer Lingus some time in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in regard to the future of Aer Lingus; the discussions that have taken place with management or workforce; if any conclusions have been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5064/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 169, 170 and 357 together.

I dealt in detail with the future ownership of Aer Lingus in response to a priority question on the matter.

On staff shareholding in Aer Lingus, following the allocation of employee share ownership plan, ESOP, shares last August, the staff currently hold 14.9% of the company. In accordance with the terms of the ESOP agreement and in line with Government policy, for so long as the State holds any shares in Aer Lingus, the maximum shareholding which the ESOT and staff can hold is 14.9% of the entire issued share capital of the company. I have no proposals to change this agreement.