Aer Lingus BA deal stalls over Qatar stake

By David Raleigh

The Government's decision on whether or not to sell off its 25pc stake in Aer Lingus will be made "in the interests of connectivity, jobs and the national interest", Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said.

However, the talk of the potential takeover of Aer Lingus by British Airways parent company IAG has taken a back step after it emerged that Qatar Airways Ltd has purchased a 9.99pc stake of IAG.

Minister Noonan said he believed the dynamics of the bid for Aer Lingus are "changing" referring to the move.

interest

"I think it's the Government's position that anything the government decides will be in the national interest, and will be in the interests of connectivity, and jobs, and in the interests of the country," Mr Noonan said.

He said he was legally restrained from making public comment about the possible IAG takeover of Aer Lingus.

"There's only two ways of getting on and off this island, either by boat or by plane, so we want to make sure that everything works out," he said.

The potential sale of Aer Lingus has seen opposition from Labour TDs - particularly in North Dublin and Cork over fears for jobs in those areas.

hnews@herald.ie