Coveney: IAG offer to buy Aer Lingus shares 'not persuasive enough'
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said that he suspects that the Government has not received an offer for Aer Lingus that is "persuasive enough".
Minister Coveney admits there are "mixed views" within Fine Gael over the sale of the airline - and says the "ball is in IAG's court".
Minister Coveney said that regional connectivity is crucial to the public interest - as well as valuable slots at Heathrow Airport.
He said that IAG has not yet persuaded the Government to part with its 25% stake.
"It is up to IAG to make an offer that is persuasive in relation to the public interest here," he said.
"And, as of yet, we don't have an offer that is persuasive enough, I suspect.
"Pascal Donohoe has been absolutely consistent through this process. He's not saying too much because he can't say too much, on behalf of the shareholder, but he has made his views very clear to IAG, and the ball is in their court."
