The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe says discussions over the possible sale of Aer Lingus should come to an end in the "next few weeks".
Mr Donohoe was speaking after a poll in The Irish Times revealed that 54% of the public are against selling the airline to IAG.
The minister says the Aer Lingus brand is obviously "of great interest" to the Irish people, and that is why the Government is taking its time to evaluate the bid.
The minister says he is not setting a strict deadline for a decision, but believes it will be settled one way or another in the coming weeks.
He said: "I do believe these discussions should come to an end in the next few weeks, it is important to bring finality - one way or another - to the discussions that are underway.
"But I'm not going to place a particular deadline in relation to what that would happen, regardless of what decision is made here."