Senior officials from the Department of Transport are due to hold talks with the European Commission in Brussels today on Ryanair's bid to take over Aer Lingus.
The talks are expected to focus on whether the proposed buy-out would be in line with EU competition laws.
Ryanair has already bought just under 20% of shares in the recently privatised national carrier and is offering €2.80 per share for the remainder.
The Government has already come out against the move, saying it is not in the interests of competition.