Govt broke promise on Aer Lingus, says Kenny
The Government has broken its promise on the future of Aer Lingus by allowing it to end its Shannon-Heathrow link, Opposition leader Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny said today.
Ending his three-week silence on the controversy, Mr Kenny accused the coalition of hypocrisy, deceit and downright lies over its stance on the airline’s cutbacks in the Mid-West.
The Mayo TD called on the Government to use its 25% stake to reverse the decision.
Since the move to a new Belfast base was announced on August 7, Mr Kenny has not commented but following a meeting with western business, tourism and community interests he said his party would fight to ensure air links to Heathrow.
He claimed Aer Lingus had been sold off last Autumn on the basis that services to the London hub were strategically important.
“This was stated consistently by Government and it publicly signalled its intention to intervene and to use its shareholding if these services were threatened,” he said.
“I am asking the Government to do what it promised it would.”
Mr Kenny accused ministers of disagreeing with Aer Lingus’ decision publicly while backing it at the Cabinet table.
He said the Government should use whatever measures were necessary to ensure an ongoing air service, including the use of its voting rights at an extraordinary general meeting of Aer Lingus.
“Aer Lingus is not just another private company. The Government kept 25% of the shares of Aer Lingus to ensure that the state’s strategic interests are protected,” he said.
Mr Kenny said if the Government fails to act in this case there will be nothing to prevent Aer Lingus management transferring slots from Dublin or Cork to airports outside the country in the future.
And he called on the Government to support the EGM demands.
“The unique importance of the Heathrow services to Dublin, Shannon and Cork was recognised in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Aer Lingus. So government action should come as no surprise to the management or other shareholders,” he said.
“If the Government is not going to use its shareholding to protect what it said it would protect, then what is the purpose of retaining its 25% stake?”
However, Mr Kenny said he accepted there were arguments against the Government stepping in.
The Atlantic Connectivity Alliance welcomed the Fine Gael leader’s statement and vowed to continue the campaign to reinstate the Aer Lingus service.
“Deputy Kenny made it clear that this decision and lack of Government opposition to it makes a mockery of national policy for balanced regional development,” said chairman Ken Sullivan.
“He also recognises that Government inaction on this is setting a dangerous precedent.”
Meanwhile, representatives of Aer Lingus and the Irish Airline Pilots Association were in talks to prevent a repeat of the strike threat which through the airline into disarray last week.
The row stems from the airline’s plans to offer staff at its new Belfast base different terms and conditions than other employees.
Concerned groups are due to meet Transport Minister Noel Dempsey next week.
