Cabinet to make Aer Lingus and terminal decision
The cabinet is expected to make a decision today on the future ownership of Aer Lingus and plans for a second terminal planned at Dublin Airport.
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has already revealed he favours the privatisation of a majority stake in Aer Lingus to raise funds it needs for new aircraft.
Minister Cullen has also proposed the second Dublin terminal remain in state hands, something which has angered the Progressive Democrats, who want the facility to be privately-owned and in competition with the existing terminal.
Minister Cullen has insisted this type of competition has failed anywhere it has been implemented.
Reports this week suggested that a compromise had been reached whereby the second terminal would be publicly owned, but a third, private terminal would be built sometime in the future.
Even if this compromise is approved by ministers today, the Government will still face resistance from trade unions opposed to the privatisation of Aer Lingus.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions believes privatisation will lead to a takeover by an international player with major consequences for the Irish economy.
