Updated 19.50pm
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY says he wants to see a “cast iron guarantee” on connectivity, before the Government will considers any formal offer for Aer Lingus from IAG.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week radio programme, Kenny said that the Government has not yet seen any details of the proposed take-over bid of Aer Lingus by IAG, which is also the British Airways parent group.
He said he wanted to make it clear that a formal offer has not been accepted by the board of Aer Lingus.
Kenny said that “flesh” needed to be added to the initial offer by IAG.
If IAG are going to come to the table in the next few days, I need to see, in so far as this is possible, a cast iron permanent guarantee in respect of connectivity, both for Cork, for Shannon, for Dublin, to extend to Knock, where we have flights directly from Heathrow, we have to see flesh on that.If that happens, government will of course continue to look at all of the options…
He added:
… I am not saying yes or no as it is not my place to do so now.
He said many business people and employers had been in touch in the last week on the value of connectivity to the regions.
Kenny said the future of Ireland “long after Willie Walsh leaves” has to be considered.
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