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Updated at 12.36pm
THERE WERE VERY angry scenes in the Dáil this morning as TDs clashed over the government’s plans to change the schedule to allow for debate on the sale of Aer Lingus.
After months of speculation and background discussions, transport minister Paschal Donohoe said last night that legally-binding agreements regarding the carrier’s brand and location had been agreed, while the airline’s slots at Heathrow would continue to be held for an unlimited time.
He confirmed that the Government had finally agreed to sell its 25.1% stake to International Airlines Group (IAG).
The Dáil voted 65-39 in favour of changing its agenda to facilitate a debate on the sale this morning.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterSo. Much. Shouting. #Dail #AerLingus pic.twitter.com/0TXF9LRRko
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 27, 2015
But not before Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused coalition of trying to “ram through” the sale and deliberately keep the opposition in the dark.
“The government is treating the house with absolute contempt,” Martin said.
Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams, meanwhile, went on to criticise the ”compliant, sheep-like TDs” of Fine Gael and Labour who are backing the deal.
Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley unsuccessfully called for the house to be suspended for ten minutes so the party whips could discuss rescheduling the agenda.
His colleague Robert Troy then expressed his annoyance that question time to Children’s Minister James Reilly was cut by almost an hour due to the discussion on changing the schedule.
Sinn Féin’s Dessie Ellis later claimed Fine Gael TDs were as “thick as thieves” with IAG in relation to the sale. He went on to accuse Labour of “pathetic subservience” in terms of backing the deal, saying voters would punish them.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterAs Paschal Donohoe defends #AerLingus sale,Timmy Dooley says minister can't explain why Labour support it because they don't know themselves
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 27, 2015
During Leaders’ Questions the issue was raised again. Martin asked Enda Kenny if he or Donohoe had seen an internal Aer Lingus report that allegedly outlined potential job cuts if the airline was sold.
The Taoiseach said they had not.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterKenny rejects Martin's assertion, says every member of Dáil will get the opportunity to have their say on #AerLingus sale over next two days
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 27, 2015
Independent TD Clare Daly said the government’s position on selling Aer Lingus “marks a new low”.
Daly said IAG’s bid was not in the best interest of citizens or Aer Lingus workers, but the commercial interests of the company’s shareholders. She asked Kenny “how in God’s name” can he defend the deal.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterWhen Daly says #AerLingus sale is "a disgrace", Kenny remarks that she has had "a good old rant" #dail
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 27, 2015
The Taoiseach said the sale is about ensuring growth and connectivity and creating jobs, adding that IAG has provided robust guarantees on several issues.
He also noted that the government will have a veto over the sale of Aer Lingus’s coveted Heathrow slots.
Willie Walsh
Meanwhile, the CEO of IAG will host a press conference in Dublin later this morning, at which he is expected to address concerns raised by unions over the planned sale of the government’s stake in Aer Lingus.
Willie Walsh is due to speak to reporters at a city centre hotel at around 11am.
TheJournal.ie / TwitterBreaking: The government is to sell its 25.1% stake in Aer Lingus to IAG http://t.co/j91yJ9WswO pic.twitter.com/F6JwUW4Q0u
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) May 26, 2015
Reaction
While business groups, across the board, have welcomed the planned deal, there have been a number of warnings from unions in the wake of last night’s announcement.
IMPACT said the new proposals were “bad for jobs, for Aer Lingus workers and for Ireland’s connectivity and economic development”.
The union remains concerned that any assurances given by either company offers no real guarantees to address these concerns.
SIPTU said it would “vigorously oppose” the sell-off plan – and called for clear promises in the areas of compulsory redundancies and outsourcing.
“SIPTU has been consistent with its position that the Government should not consider any sale, unless a legally binding commitment, such as a Register Employment Agreement, which directly addresses the issues of compulsory redundancies and no outsourcing of functions is agreed by the company,” organiser Owen Reidy said.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, meanwhile said the planned sale was a matter of “very serious concern”.
Aer Lingus letter
In a letter to the Transport Minister yesterday, CEO of Aer Lingus Stephen Kavanagh said the airline did not foresee “a likelihood of compulsory redundancy or non-direct employment (outsourcing)”.
“Having clear Registered Employment Agreements that safeguard the respective interests of employees and the company is mutually beneficial,” the letter said.
The airline had committed to expanding the scope of those agreements to include staff not currently included, Kavanagh said.
Asked about that letter – and about concerns raised by unions in a Morning Ireland interview, Minister Donohoe insisted ”we have a commitment here in relation to expanding the scope of REAs and expanding the number of employees that will be covered”.
Pressed on whether outsourcing and compulsory redundancies could be ruled out entirely, he responded:
You’re asking me to make a prediction based on discussions that will happen – and what I’m doing I’m emphasising that we have received a commitment from Stephen Kavanagh and from Aer Lingus that they do not foresee the use of compulsory redundancies or non-direct employment.
TheJournal Politics / Twitter. @Paschald says money used from sale of Aer Lingus will fund everything from ports to airports to roads pic.twitter.com/L5yIGeuNwr
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) May 26, 2015
Labour about-turn
Eight Labour TDs – including Joe Costello, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons – who had opposed the bid as it was set out in December said they has consulted widely with unions in recent months, to hear their concerns.
They are now backing the deal, they confirmed last night.
“The four main concerns were the valuation of the assets including the Heathrow slots, the need for a firm commitment to workers in the form of a Registered Employment Agreement (REA), the failure to provide cast-iron guarantees on connectivity and the Heathrow slots, and a lack comprehensive plan to promote Shannon and Cork airports,” a statement from the eight said.
“We are satisfied that these objectives have been achieved in the offer which is before the government.
“We are particularly satisfied that IAG has agreed to a Government veto on the disposal of the Heathrow slots indefinitely.
This guarantees state control of the connectivity which was the purpose of the state retaining the 25% golden share in the first place.
- with reporting by Órla Ryan
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Labour are just a bunch of political prostitutes.
why is ok to sell to iag but not to Ryanair, surly the competition authority has something to say on this
The EU and the competition authority stopped Ryanairs bid dead in the water. 3times. Ryanair and EI combined would have controlled over 90% off traffic out of ireland. IAG buying EI will not and still have to deal with FR competition.
I think it was because the competition authority deemed it anti competitive for Ryanair to own both of the Irish airlines
Hulk Smash, get a grip. Labour can’t win with some people posting here. If they listen to the concerns of the Unions they are political opportunists. If they go with IAG they are traitorous swine who have sold out their constituents. If they calmly and soberly assess the risks and benefits and try to offset the risks by obtaining guarantees they are in your words “political prostitutes”. The only solution would appear to stick their heads in the sand and say and do nothing. This decision is rational and shows the very opposite to what you are implying. But rant away. I doubt reason will sway you.
Labour do as they’re told, a bit of political posturing for show, but at the end of the day they do what Kenny tells them to do.
Aer Lingus was going to be sold from day one, it was never “if” it was always when, all that was needed was some political fluffing for show.
True Hulk.. And once again Siptu, the largest union in the State huff and puff but do nothing. Joke of a union
Labour are just a sham organisation.
I wonder what Jack O Connor will do…. Nothing.
There is a certain type of person in this Country , who would sell the soul of Ireland and they always have !
Even with 25% of shares in Citizen/ Government hands and another held by Irish Shareholders in the Ryanair similar share , there was clearly no necessity to sell a huge National Family Asset . But the nature of the breed that is FG , combined with a spineless Labour Party , has ensured that Ireland Inc will always be Sold Out by these type of Gobaloons ,whose God is money & profit!
SIPTU , as a bought Union, are combining with the other Two , so as to ensure that The EU’s filthy bidding is done – Our Masters now ?
Your right he will nothing despite all his half hearted posturing bout his members he won’t go against Burton
@ Richard Cynical, that comment sort of sums up your IQ! If Aer Lingus was sold to Ryanair it would have a monopoly in Ireland. This sale to IAG is good for competition and Irish consumers. We have all seen the difference in prices between Ryanair’s flights from Dublin to Europe against Ryanair’s prices from the Uk to Europe. Ryanair has greater competition in the Uk hence the much lower prices there.
Makes me winner how much Ryanair will look for off IAG for their share
Lab do nothing apart from bend over and take a rodgering from FG.
PD, are you giving Baz a break today?
Fintan is PD baz as well
An other, you cannot offer 2 different prices for shares. Ryanair will be offered the exact same price as the government. That’s the rules. Ryanair do not have to sell but they will. They’ve been ordered to lower their ownership level and there’s no other buyer in town.
An other, are you thick? The level of ignorance around business is outstanding amongst the left. No wonder they’ll never be in power.
Thats more of an insult to prostitutes.
It’s worth pointing out that this is not the Government selling Aer Lingus: that already happened back in 2006.
This is the government disposing of a rump 25% investment in a company in which they are a minority shareholder.
Enda Kenny came out from under hes Rock and said “This deal is the best means of securing and enhancing this country’s connectivity with the rest of the world, and maintaining a vibrant and competitive air transport industry,” Must be all true if Enda say’s so – It’s all smoke and mirrors sure the Dáíl’s schedule has been delayed for the week meaning laws on free GP care for over 70s, and giving votes to citizens abroad, will be delayed and that’s exactly what they want!
Jack o Connor will row in behind Labour Party in private but not in public which is typical of siptu hit the road jack !
And staff are mostly behind this too. Plus they’ll be quids in if the hold shares, which many do, pilots particularly.
And while everyone was watching the “Yes” side in the referendum well lo and behold if the family silver wasn’t being prepared for the thievin’ again …..
Paschal Donoghue has drawn a lot of attention to himself on this one -
Family silver? 25% in a small airline, that needs huge capital investment.
Well said Jason. The decision to sell aer lingus was done years ago. I think this is a good move for the airline and the country.
Actually Aer Lingus WAS sold years ago…it was privatised in 2006.
Pilots bought shares at €3.05
The old 24 Hrs of outrage.
Really Jason..Aer Lingus has over a billion in reserves and the selling price is 1.2 billion. Its a give away at a scandalously low price.
Labour backs the deal, whats new spineless shower of b$##ards.
Jonathan, by the FF government of which M. Martin was a member.
The Irish state whether governed by Fine Gael/Labour or Fianna Fail has always largely served the interest of domestic and international capital over the majority ordinary citizens. Fianna Fail bail out the bondholders and destroy the nation economically which opens up juicy opportunities for Fine Gael connected business interests to feed on the carcass such as the Siteserv deal. The sale of the government stake in Aer Lingus is just the latest example of this trend.
IAG is owned by international investors (Standard Life Investment, Europacific Growth Fund etc) whose sole reason for holding the shares is to generate profit. If maximizing “shareholder value” in the years to come involves cutting routes from Cork, Shannon etc. then that’s exactly what IAG will do after all the puff and spin from Willie Walsh and the government has evaporated after the sale. The interests of the Ireland’s people are of precisely no concern to international capital.
the money will just go to paying off debts that our not ours so what’s the point in selling
Waddler, explain how 25% is strategic? It’s not. It’s a holding with no added value.
Jason,
I didn’t mention anything about the 25% stake being a strategic asset in my comment above. But there is a discussion with another character called “justanothertaxpayer” below on that topic.
You wouldn’t by any chance be the same person as taxpayer and you just got a little confused switching between your aliases?
Jason no matter what this gov of fg/lab do you are always on here making out it is the right decision
you like me and 99.999 of the population know nothing of the willie walsh assurances to Kenny or whoever, yet you feel informed enough to believe proven liars and cheats, you need to get back to writing the fg election manifesto as it is more believable than your informed comments
What do these clowns know about aviation? Not a thing, but they know how to buy an election.
That’s why they have to sell to someone who knows about aviation. You’ve proven the Need for a sell to IAG. Government has no place on aviation because they don’t have the expertise.
The government don’t have expertise in anything, that’s why they pay all those “advisers” and “consultants” to “have” it for them.
James how does this decision buy an election, especially for Labour? I imagine no matter what decision they took you would find grounds for criticism. Governments must take and make decisions. They have done so it would appear after a long assessment period and obtaining reasonable guarantees. Good for them.
Jason,
What expertise do you need exactly to hold a 25% stake in an airline’s shares?
Expertise in the constitution and law and history would be a good idea ….
@waddler…none, which is Jasons point. Now instead of having a large shareholder with no clue, they have a shareholder that knows more about aviation than probably anyone on the planet.
Kian,
Under the market system, shareholder operational expertise in the business is largely irrelevant. Aer Lingus shares are traded daily by institutions and individuals who haven’t the slightest clue how to maintain or fly an Airbus. Ditto for IAG.
Some of the major shareholder in IAG are for example Standard Life Investment, Europacific Growth Fund, Capital Research and Management Company, BlackRock Inc etc. none of whom have any particular expertise in aviation.
The expertise in relation to holding shares is irrelevant yes, but it’s better to have a group who know what they’re doing.
IAG turned Iberia from a loss making airline into an operating profit of £50m last year. They must know some bit to be able to do that. I imagine Aer Lingus can expect a bright future with IAG backing them.
Aer Lingus won’t be backed by IAG, they’ll be owned by them. And IAG in turn are owned by international investors whose sole reason for holding the shares is to generate profit. If maximizing “shareholder value” in the years to come involves cutting routes from Cork, Shannon etc. then that’s exactly what IAG will do after all the puff and spin from Willie Walsh and the government has evaporated after the sale. The interests of the Ireland’s people are of precisely no concern to international capital.
The interests of Aer Lingus without IAG would be the same, profit. It is a business, not a charity. If the heathrow routes weren’t profitable then they would pull them just as quick as IAG.
Exactly Kian. And that is why the government should not have relinquished a controlling stake in Aer Lingus in the first place. Air transport is of strategic importance to the nation and should not be left to the whims of the market. Instead of selling it’s 25% stake, the government should be looking to increase its share of the company along with the employees who also have a vested interest in the future of the airline and the country.
I would argue that is exactly the reason why they’re right to sell their stake.
Privatization of strategic assets and infrastructure works out well for the market and badly for the people. We have a cracking example of this with the Eircom debacle.
Eircom was a disaster. But Aer Lingus has been privatized for a long time now. The 25%, while it gave the government a say, was still only a minority shareholding. Airlines, for the most part, are better off private. It allows them to be more competitive, work better and more profitable routes. Where there is demand, they will be there. I dont envisage the LHR slots being at risk, at least not in the short term.
Cliffs of moher next.
Yes. That’s right. Cos cliffs are selling well right now.
Our Children’s blood ….. anything to stay in power !
The cliffs – a natural occurring resource that requires no maintenance and is in demand by visitors for years. Damn right it is open for privatisation: right, Clare county council? How much are you fleecing of tourist now for the mandatory car park and “experience”?
you have to pay to get on those cliffs
the Cliffs are gone………erosion
What capital investment does Aer Lingus need? All planes leased. Fuel is cheap. New uniforms?
Saw Willie Walsh and Denis O’Brien having dinner and a chat recently!!…..maybe:-)
Not a good day. IAG will make all the right noises but in reality they will strip anything thats not making money and whereas BA support domestic non profit routes such as the highlands and islands can we expect them to keep london to knock routes open , for example?? Transport is more than just going on holiday, it’s a vital part of the economy, i think this is a shortsighted move and the gain for government coffers will soon go. I worry for the future of Aer Lingus.
Ryanair are Knocks biggest operator. Airlines shouldn’t be run on a basis of PSO’s. If a route is not commercially viable why keep losing money on it? It’s not a charity.
Spot on Jason. We should also close all the schools and hospitals which are not commercially viable and the entire population can attend Blackrock college and the Beacon clinic.
yes true, but if you read what i said , air travel is not a luxury. Many irish commute by plane to work, air travel is like bus and train, it’s most important role is to keep the wheels of the economy turning, sadly your attitude is profit is king. BA support non profit routes in scotland, will they have the same attitude to irish routes? I doubt it.
Patrick you seem to think that IAG are some asset stripping Gordon Gecko monster . they are an airline and they make money by getting people to fly on aeroplanes, the more that fly the better for them. Ireland West is almost all Ryanair and the aerlingus flight is not regional and make money. Can you not see that this is good for aerlingus, the taxpayer (govt should not be in the airline business) and for any workers who invested in their own company over the years. Can you just admit that the only problem the union has is that their members are not going to get a hugely disproportionate lump sum share allocation just because they work there – that boat has sailed years ago.
I see what you did there waddler but there is a world if difference between the provision of hospital beds, education and health care as opposed to maintaining and developing air routes. I don’t mind my tax being g spent on health and education, I do mind it being spent on a private airport or a subsidy to run an unviable air route. As you keep saying, the government doesn’t have a license to print money and EI are going to need huge capital investment soon. Being a part of a group like IAG will secure it’s long term future and viability. The aviation world in Spain hasn’t ended and neither in the UK. This will be a void thing for EI and it’s staff.
Health, Education, Transport, Communications, Energy, Water etc etc. All vital public services and all up for sale to enable perpetual profit gouging for the corporate sector under the neo liberal agenda. The disposal of the Aer Lingus government stake is part of the same agenda.
The Irish state cannot print money because we have ceded monetary sovereignty to the Euro. The currency union is also a neo liberal construct which places a household budget constraint on the nation. The need for investment in public services which the government cannot provide under the Euro straitjacket is then used as a lever to force privatization, exactly as you have just argued for.
In contrast, a sovereign currency issuing state (e.g. U.K.) can afford whatever subsidies are necessary to maintain and invest in vital public infrastructure such as transport, energy etc. Britain is the monopoly currency issuer of the pound and faces no financial constraints within that currency. If the U.K wishes to build a hospital, school or an airport for example, they never face a shortage of money to do so. Once the real resources are present, the state can always afford to purchase them.
Ireland in contrast is trapped in a monetary Catch 22 which IAG are now set to profit from.
jeez Waddler – do you ever stop complaining? Seriously – 25% of an airline is not a strategic asset.
Lighten up and try to find at least one thing you are in favour of will you?
Tell that to Cork Airport!!
I’ll stop “complaining” when you stop spinning for your government paymasters taxpayer.
The 25% stake in Aer Lingus is a strategic asset for the nation. If the government stake was not for sale, then there would be precisely nobody interested or willing to proceed with a takeover of Aer Lingus.
what does 25% get the government then if it wasn’t going to be sold which could be considered ‘strategic’? When Aer Lingus decided to shift their slots from Shannon to Belfast, there was a huge uproar and yet nothing could (or should) have been done to stop them.
As for your paymasters comment – like your others – it is inaccurate. I pay them so they can give it to your chosen favourite demographic. So if anything, it is you that is on their payroll.
Justanothertaxpayer or Jason or whatever other alias you’re using today,
As explained, the 25% stake is strategic because Aer Lingus cannot be sold unless the stake is relinquished. There are certainly measures which could and should be taken to prevent the loss of connectivity for Shannon, Cork or any other Irish airport. Instead of selling it’s 25% stake, the government should be looking to increase its share of the company along with the employees who also have a vested interest in the future of the airline and the country.
Waddler, I use one name, my real one, just click and you’ll see my surname also. Unlike yourself, I don’t need to hide behind an alias. All thoughts are my own.
Just the one account is it Jason?
What about this protected account with a profile picture identical to one in your twitter feed also posting prolifically in this comment section?
Waddler, Britain has consistently privatized and cut payments to infrastructure such as railways so your point is both wrong and misleading.
I’d be considered left wing myself by most, and even I fail to see a downside. IAG know a lot more about aviation than our government and managed to turn iberia around big time, they expect to take on 650 more staff, guaranteed the Ireland to London routes, give EI more clout internationally and this is a bad thing? Some people will just complain for the he’ll of it
That was supposed to be a reply to @inthenameoff..
A voice of reason. Well said. Preach it from the rooftops brother.
50 staff are being let go as part of the deal..where are you getting your info?
Head office most likely, probably no harm. But lots of new jobs will be created.
@Kian.. Any decision taken by IAG in the future will be in their shareholders best interest.. Not Irelands..
@North… as would any decision taken by Aer Lingus before takeover, it is a business after all…even if it does have a shamrock on it
No staff being let go due to IAG bid….any staff reductions at the moment are internal Aer Lingus plans.
In 2-3 years we could see duplication of planning and finance positions being moved to IAG HQ.
Like vincent brown said last night, if i sell you a car, i can’t legally stop you from driving the car to cork. The irish gov can’t do anything to stop BA do whatever they want with aer lingus, which will be in the best interests of BA and not ireland, so all these promises mean nothing.
Adrian, it’s not BA its IAG. It is IAG who want to make the profit, it means they want to make Aer Lingus profitable, as well as BA. They worked wonders with Iberia, turning it into £50m profit last year. This is good news for Aer Lingus as a brand.
IAG, BA, whoever. The point is, they are selling state assets, and with their track record on spending, they’re gonna squander or waste a lot of the money they get for it, then they’ll have no asset, (no control over aer lingus) and no money, and they’ll need more money, so what will they do then, they’ll raise taxes. Is that the way to run a country?
Betrayal is nothing new to Labour.
So D is Illusioned you would rather the status quo with the State retaining its 25% stake in a small regional airline called Aer Lingus which has, several times, come close to commercial failure? The airline business is now one for the large conglomerates. Being part of IAG is probably as good a move as it gets for Aer Lingus. They retain their brand and are part of a more powerful group which will drive business their way. What about the downside of remaining as they are – a minnow in the land of giants? Easy to criticise. This decision was inevitable once Aer Lingus was privatised. If it had remained in public ownership we would no longer have an Aer Lingus because the State could never have forced through restructuring the way a private operator could and the company would have gone to the wall. This move has been inevitable for some time.
Well said John.
and are now a success which is why I A G wants to buy in.
I really don’t See what everyone is getting so worked up about.
It’s not everyone. It’s the usual crowd of left wing nut jobs.
Aer Lingus pensioners and deferred pensioners had their entitlements slashed by up to fifty percent in some cases in a deal done with government connivence, now the shareholding vultures can strip the airlines assets, shame on Labour in particular for trampling on the workers who built the airline
Who cares what Labour puppets think.. Be a distant memory very soon.. Lying, cheating, sneaky snakes..
Labour TD’S will vote the way they are told to vote. Useless in opposition even worse in government. This is coming from an EX Labour voter.
No mention of the 50 job losses, no? Just the possibility of new jobs in the future. This story is being spun out of existence….
Nothing to do with the takeover, the job losses were coming anyway.
Look at the language ‘jason’, ” …we have received a commitment from Stephen Kavanagh and from Aer Lingus that they do not foresee the use of compulsory redundancies ”
Not a commitment that there WON’T be compulsory redundancies, a commitment that they DON’T FORESEE any.
Worthless.
Another Labour sell-out – their last election manifesto is just going to wipe them out.
“to support by Aer lingus deal”
Proof read your headlines, FFS.
Use the tip/corrections button.
Do other people fix your mistakes ? .
Exactly, Deco. How about they just do the work they’re being paid for? Journal articles take around 2.5 mins each to read – so how much hassle is it to read over it just once before posting?
It seems they fixed the headline, but not the sub headline:
“to sell off its s 25.1% stake “
I’d love a guarantee from the Govt that this some of this money will be used for a rail link to the airport
Labour TDS now happy….lob given, grubby deal done to buy necessary rent boys/girls and the Liar’s Party sing “The Red Flag” with great gusto.
Labour would sell anything to stay in power
So looking forward to seeing Labour when they come calling for votes this party is morally and ethically compromised they have sold their political soul to remain in power they should though it’ll be a while before they see it again
“We are particularly satisfied that IAG has agreed to a Government veto on the disposal of the Heathrow slots indefinitely”
When IAG itself is sold in the very near future the deal made to acquire Aer Lingus will be history. Jobs will disappear in Irish airports, the promised growth will not happen, fares will increase in and out of Ireland, multinationals will think twice about locating here because of connectivity concerns. But by then Kenny, Burton and Co will be sitting back enjoying their fat pensions. Willie Walsh hopefully will look after Paschal though for getting the deal done for him
Fianna Fáil privatised Aer Lingus . In 2006!!! What a shower of hippocrates
So the government has a veto on the disposal does that mean IAG can t change the purpose of the slots to more profitable routes? If that is the case the veto is useless.
That’s why IAG offered legally binding deal on slots from SNN/ORK-LHR for 7 years.
And 7 years, is such a looooong time is’t it.
Yesterday, Enda Kenny said about repealing the 8th, “I do not believe that this house should be rushed into making a decision.” – http://www.thejournal.ie/repealing-8th-amendment-referendum-2126238-May2015/
Today, the House will be rushed into making a decision about selling off an 80-year-old national asset of strategic importance that is worth billions.
The Constitutional Convention recommended by a margin of 73% that the members of the Dáil, including the Opposition, should all have a fair say in setting Dáil agenda. This is an example of why.
A full list of the Constitutional Convention’s recommendations is here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UktBFBdnjY4Lz1Kv6WsepQlQPIJNyKugUUVfyXSBwO4/edit?usp=sharing
The level of scaremongering about this deal is absolutely ridiculous. A couple of points here:
1. Why would Aer Lingus in its current form continue with routes that are unprofitable at present? Its already a private company that makes its own commercial decisions. As for the PSO routes, Aer Lingus bids for these in an open tender process
2.There is little doubt that Dublin Airport will thrive under this deal and the Irish economy will get a nice boost from the many extra passengers that I’ve no doubt that IAG will funnel through Dublin Airport. As for the other airports, I don’t think they’ll be any worse off under this deal. We have to realise here that we are a very small country in terms of population and physical size. The best way forward is to focus on one world class international gateway (Dublin) and focus on providing good transport links from the regions to this hub. The other airports will only every really be viable in the form of limited commuter services and leisure travel to Southern Europe. This is the case with all other European airports serving places the size of Cork, Limerick and Galway, why should we be any different.
3.Finally, please point out any other European based airline the size of Aer Lingus that is doing well on its own. There are none left, they have all been the subject of mergers into bigger groups. This is because they realise this is their only way to survive long term. The upside of this is the countries in question get better connectivity links due to the scale of the larger airline groupings. It’ll be the same case here.
I say fair play to the government for going ahead with this. This is politically a tricky one to navigate but in fairness they’ve gone ahead with it ads they know it’s the best thing for Aer Lingus and the country long term
You are packing a lot of belief there Bob, I wish I had your optimism.
The Labour Party make up one third of the government and get 100% of the blame for the FG decisions. Wake up Journal readers!
Absolute betrayal of the Nation to Global capitalism
How Peter? Aer Lingus is a private company quoted on the stock exchange. The State has a 25% shareholding. They are a profit driven company. That is their raison d’être. In what way will a change of private ownership represent a betrayal of the country? Private companies are sold all the time. Your response however, and that of others, suggests that the Aer Lingus brand still has a cachet in Ireland and also elsewhere. The new owners will develop that further. Only an idiot destroys a successful brand considering how difficult it is to build one in the first place. IAG are not idiots. They will work to enhance the brand by growing the business. Good news for Ireland.
We need Unions with backbone to represent workers not the out of touch clowns who presently run these organizations the way the establishment dictates them to.
Rent boys receive their fees….job done
More histrionics from FF in a bid to seem relevant, the fact remains that Aer Lingus won’t be kept alive by protectionist policies, the need strong international backing which is what IAG will provide, more routes from Dublin to North America and Middle East is an obvious chance for the growth of the airline.
Fianna Fail seem to be kite flying this morning and making their own hot air. A distraction from their own party problems…..say no more!!
So there, Aer Lingus sold, Willie has indeed promised Paschal and a few other that if they are good they may get a seat on the board just like Bifo and crew
Maybe I’m just cynical but IAG seem to be obscenely keen on getting their hands on AL. If it’s not the Heathrow slots, then what?
We were told the exact same when we sold Telecom Eireann, it would be great for the country blah blah etc etc
Look how that turned out the only people to benefit were the business sector who kept selling it , ripping out the assets etc
Where will the media be and business if the Aer lingus deal turns out to be equally bad for the economy
Yup, it characteristically short sighted from FG… running a country on an ideology (free-market, privatise everything) rather than what’s best long term for its people. And no doubt those 350 secret HSBC Swiss bank accounts will improve in health.
I just hope IAG don’t decide that those slots make more profit flying to China in 8 years.
And sure isn’t our water supply costing a fortune, best let some international financiers own and profit from that too.
When EI was fully publicly owned The only people who were looked after were the staff and Business travelers such as politicians. All others paid a kings ran6som to travel with them .
Along came Ryanair and all changed for the cozy cartel that Clare Daly was a huge part off.
The ordinary workers of Ireland now get to travel on something that 25 years ago they could not afford but still had shell out Subsidies for
I for one have awful memories of taking ferries to the UK as flights on Aerlingus were in the region of 200 quid and that was back in the 80s Ireland consists of more people than the voters of North County Dublin
long live privatization..
Expect real competition between FR & EI next year when they are two separate companies again fighting for
our bucks . At present FR not taking on EI as they own almost 30% of it but now that IAG are the sole owners expect MOL to dlclare war
Aer Lingus will now get the investment and expansion it deserves as a company. We won’t really know if this was a good move for another 10 years. That said the government have no say it how the company is run anyway. Are all the moaners ok with pumping a few hundred million of tax payers money to buy new aircraft and expand? Taxpayers money that is not there.
John
Awe lingus have hundreds of millions of cash on their balance sheet
What are you talking about
Are lingus is profitable there is no tax money going into them
Are you another labour drone herding in the sheep
Fly Irish, fly Ryanair !
Interesting how the one independent td, sean barrett, who is an expert on transport and lectures on it, is against the sale of aer lingus, yet all thr orher fg and labour tdsand their political advisors, who certainly are no more experts on the issue than you or me, are saying this is a great deal for ireland. All points to another massive cockup by this gov.
Hard luck… We as in this government took loans from the IMF and part of any deals with the IMF is the privatisation of what we own. So anyone who complains has only the government to blame, what is next???
Ryanair freed the Irish and many other Europeans. National airlines like Aer Lingus were for the privileged (tax subsidised by ordinary taxpayers) and free flight perks for their staff.
Nobody can say with certainty that this is a good deal for the public
It will be long into the future before we will no the consequences of selling the stake, by that time FG Td’s will be on a nice pension, probably privatised everything they can and might even get a job or two from Denis o Brien
Talking of using the money raised to fund other developments, these are probably developments that were already in the pipeline
The state, when they fully owned Aerlingus, gave us the Shannon stop over! They know nothing about the aviation industry and have no business in the running of an air line. Leave these things to the private sector. There are plenty of other things the government can make a mess off.
I think we should maybe call for the same action on our tds and gov buildings that whats happening in switzerland with fifa. This gov is prooving itself to be no less corrupt than fifa is at the moment unfortunately. I’m sure we’d find some very interesting stuff.
A lot of Labour party members aka Fine Gael lite on the Journal today red thumbing the critism of today’s decision at least half of your front bench have u turned you got gay marriage and you were told to go back in your box by your senior coalition partners and as always you folded quicker than a Laundry
What will they sell next em maybe Monaghan Donegal and Cavan. Sure that would be the hole Ulster out of there hair.
Who car
Governments should have no automatic right to sell off state assets of any description. Governments, the present one in particular, are driven by vested interests. Those interests, by and large do not tie in with the interests of the people who elected the government. Once again this government has proven this time and time again, as has the previous government. Up until FF sold off the majority share in Aer Lingus, the airline was bought, built up and maintained by the taxes of the people of this country. Not politicians. WE owned it, not the government. It was vital that the present government maintained some control by keeping that 25% in the hands of the Irish people. Despite whatever commercial interests might tell us. We will come to regret this move yet.
Siptu will call for strike action making the airline less viable
Whatever the proceeds of this sale, they should be ring fenced and entirely devoted to metro north project and that way we’d have a tangible infrastructure improvement to show for it. That way I think people would get behind it.
But it sounds like it will just be frittered away on numerous smaller projects.
How many people know that the chairperson of the National Treasury Management Agency is none other than IAG’s Willie Walsh. NTMA has responsibility for NewEra the holding company for state assets. Among NewEra’s role is advising the government on the various commercial aspects of state assets. There is a huge conflict of interest going on here which should be open to scrutiny.
Pascal o’d says the money from the sale will fund everything from ports, to airports, to roads, to covering up overspending in things like irish water, to filling financial holes created by sqandered gov spending, to ensuring incompetent tds like pascals grossly overpaid salaries, expenses and pensions are seen after, to buying an election for themselves so the curruption continues. And when all that moneys squandered away, and the asset is gone, we’ll just raise taxes again.
I bet Timmy Dooley got beaten up a lot in school. You’d just have to hit him. He’s annoying.
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LOL, you sad pathetic gimp.
“And I’m from UK”
But English is not his/her first language. Probably a scam, but it has been reported.
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