Minister admits difficulty in saving Aer Lingus
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O’Rourke has told the Dail that it will be extremely difficult to gain permission from the European Commission to guarantee a state loan for Aer Lingus.
Ms O’Rourke said the Government is currently examining the strict EC competition laws to see if there is a legal loophole that it can exploit to provide state aid for the national airline.
“We face an extremely challenging task in obtaining approval from the commission to provide assistance of any form to Aer Lingus,” she said, “but I will be working with the company and with the employees to make the best possible case for securing the future of the airline.”
Also speaking in the Dail this morning, Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins sharply criticised the survival package submitted by Aer Lingus management and questioned its ability to save the airline from bankruptcy.
“Fine Gael does not accept that 2,500 job cuts are absolutely necessary,” he said.
“Fine Gael does not accept that by cutting 40% of your workforce, you will guarantee the long-term survival of the company. This so-called viability plan is not a kiss of life like it is being portrayed.”
