Harney disagrees with Taoiseach’s Aer Lingus remarks
The Tánaiste Mary Harney has said she does not agree with the Taoiseach's comments yesterday about former Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh.
Mr Ahern told the Dáil that Mr Walsh and his associates, who proposed a management buy-out of Aer Lingus last year, wanted to "steal" the airline's assets.
A government spokesman later said the use of the word "steal" was unfortunate, but Mr Ahern would not be retracting the remark.
The matter was raised in the House today by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who asked Ms Harney if she agreed with the Taoiseach's remarks.
The Tánaiste told him she believed Mr Ahern intended to use the word "strip" rather than "steal" and, in any case, she did not support the criticism.
"It's not a perspective I would have," she said.
