Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he is satisfied that any takeover of Aer Lingus will involve adequate protection for national interests such as continued access without restriction to all existing routes and landing provisions at airports worldwide and fundamental to the viability of the airline into the future; if he is satisfied that the regional airports are likely to be sufficiently provided for in such a way as to ensure not only their existence in the future but their continued growth and expansion; if he is satisfied that staffing levels are not reduced thereby restricting the scale and operations of the airline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4338/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and  the recent approaches from IAG.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the proposed sale of Aer Lingus shares to IAG is in the best interest of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4359/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and  the recent approaches from IAG.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a sale of Aer Lingus will have an impact on employment, pensions, aviation services and tourism. [4363/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have addressed the issues raised by IAG potential Offer for Aer Lingus in my answers to priority questions 4656/15 and 4666/15.  

In relation to pensions, for the last number of years Aer Lingus, together with the other employers in the Irish Airline Superannuation Scheme, has been working with the various stakeholders to put the company's pension funding arrangements on a sustainable footing. The funding proposal from the scheme's trustees was approved last year by the statutory regulator for pensions, the Pensions Authority, and has been implemented since 31 December 2014. The IASS trustee has confirmed that these measures are in the overall best interest of the members of the IASS as a whole and are fully compliant with national and EU law.

I am very conscious of the difficulties these necessary changes cause for many scheme members but the risks that would have arisen for all members, the companies and the wider economy in the event of failure of this solution were even greater.