Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Transport the meetings and communications he has had with the board or individual directors of Aer Lingus in the past 24 months; the issues discussed; the outcome of such contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24741/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I have met and communicated with the Chairman and the State-appointed directors of Aer Lingus on a few occasions over the last 2 years but I do not have a definitive list detailing all of the communications I have had with them in that time.

The nature of my communications and meetings with the Aer Lingus Chairman and the State-appointed directors has primarily been in the context of my responsibility for national aviation policy. For example, on 11 June 2009, the Chairman briefed me on proposals for transatlantic services for the winter season 2009/10 and for the enhancement of the Shannon-Heathrow service.

Communication with the three State-appointed directors can also arise in the context of the mandate issued to them upon appointment.

In the context of my role as guardian of the Stat's shareholding in Aer Lingus, I am briefed by the Chairman periodically on the company's financial performance as announced to the Stock Exchange. In this context, I met with the Chairman on 29 April 2009 to discuss the company's full year results for 2008, which were released on 11 March 2009, and the Company's Interim Management Statement, which was released on 28 April.