Fine Gael TD raises doubts about potential sale of Govt shares in Aer Lingus

A Fine Gael TD has indicated that concerns were expressed at their parliamentary party meeting yesterday about the sale of Aer Lingus.

Fine Gael TD raises doubts about potential sale of Govt shares in Aer Lingus

A Fine Gael TD has indicated that concerns were expressed at their parliamentary party meeting yesterday about the sale of Aer Lingus.

Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton told the weekly meeting of the Labour parliamentary party last night that she is still to be convinced of whether the State should hand over its 25% stake in the airline, in exchange for roughly €340m.

At least seven of her TDs have serious concerns about any sale - believing that selling the airline could put jobs at risk in their constituencies near Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Serious concerns were also expressed at the weekly meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, where Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe tried to give some assurances that the government would not sell if it did not have a guarantee about keeping links from London to Irish airports.

The issue is set to be discussed again today at a meeting of the Oireachtas Transport committee, with chambers of commerce, pilots, the IDA and airline workers all likely to express fears for their futures if Aer Lingus is sold.

Committee chairman, Fine Gael TD John O'Mahony, says similar sentiments were expressed at the Fine Gael meeting yesterday.

"That was discussed at the parliamentary party meeting," he said.

"The picture … from the Labour Party would be somewhat the picture that came through at the [Fine Gael] parliamentary party meeting as well, I think I wouldn't be breaking confidence by saying that."

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