Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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210. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the fact that he is responsible for the sale of State assets, if he will provide an update on the discussions and the report of the interdepartmental group that is considering the potential International Airlines Group takeover of Aer Lingus. [18223/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government's Inter-Departmental Steering Group and its advisers have continued their engagement with IAG, focusing on the key issues of concern to the Government as set out in the statement by the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport on 24^thFebruary. These include:

- Legally binding, permanent commitments on the Heathrow slots and term-based commitments on routes.

- Clarity on the overall employment prospects with particular reference to the timeframe within which net additional employment would be created.

- Further details relating to transatlantic growth and opportunities for growth at Cork, Shannon and Knock.

- Confirmation of the nature and acceptability of oversight measures on the Heathrow slots and routes - subject to any EU considerations.

- Evaluation by the Steering Group and its advisors of the financial terms offered.

There has been useful engagement on the issues by both sides and I would expect that the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport will be in a position to bring the report of the Steering Group to Government for consideration in the coming weeks.