Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is his responsibility, and that of the Irish Aviation Authority, to measure the sound levels at a location (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39084/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Irish Aviation Authority has responsibility for implementing European legislation relating to noise emissions from civil subsonic jet aeroplanes, which are large commercial jet aircraft. These regulations/directives apply to civil airports that have more than 50,000 movements of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes per year. As the aircraft using the airfield in Kilkenny are smaller aircraft, this airfield does not come within the scope of this legislation. On the basis of similar questions previously raised, it is my understanding that local authorities may have a role to exercise in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding State ownership of Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39123/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has considered the various options open to it in terms of generating revenue from the sale of state assets – including the recommendations of the State Assets Review Group (McCarthy Report). That Report had recommended that the Government dispose of its shareholding in Aer Lingus "as soon as is opportune" but no decision has yet been taken by the Government on a disposal of the State's shareholding in the company.

In addition to the Government's decision to sell a minority stake in the ESB, the Government also agreed that it is prepared, in principle, to undertake further asset sales, and a process has been initiated to consider a number of potential assets in this context. The State's shareholding in Aer Lingus is being considered as part of this process. A Group, led by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and including my Department, other relevant Departments and the NTMA, is considering possibilities in this regard and will advise the Government in relation to the appropriate valuations to be placed on the assets in question, and on the most appropriate method of disposal, likely timeframe and economic impact of any such disposal, in order to inform any further decisions that the Government may wish to make in this regard.

It should be noted that the Government only owns 25% of the company's share capital and nothing prevents any airline or any other potential investor from acquiring a share in the company from the owners of the other 75% of the company's share capital.