The chairman of Aer Lingus, Mr Bernie Cahill, is expected to receive a report later this week on allegations of sexual harassment against the airline's chief executive, Mr Michael Foley.
The complainants are SIPTU worker/director Ms Joan Loughnane and a woman employee in the company's head office.
Ms Loughnane, who is abroad on holiday this week, told The Irish Times yesterday: "I can't make any comment. It's a matter for Aer Lingus to comment, if appropriate."
She said there was no connection between her complaint and that of the other employee. "I don't even know the other person", she added.
A comment was sought from Mr Foley through Aer Lingus, but he had not responded to the request up to late yesterday. He has been reported elsewhere in the media as strongly denying the allegations.
A spokesman for the company also declined to comment. As employer of the three people, he said it would be inappropriate for the airline to discuss the media reports.
Relations on the board are understood to be strained because of the investigation, which is being conducted by Mr John Keane, a board nominee of the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, and Ms Rose Hynes, of AerFri, who was appointed by the previous government.
Mr Foley has remained at his post and took part in a board meeting last week, where the company's expected dip in profits from £60 million last year to £15 million this year was discussed. Ms O'Rourke is understood to have been briefed on the situation.
Whatever the findings of the board sub-committee, media reports of the investigation over the past few weeks provide further damaging publicity for the airline, which had hoped to launch an IPO (Initial Public Offering) this year. Since the mid-1990s it has been through four chief executives and it has experienced five strikes since last October.
The fact that Mr Foley took such a strong stance against SIPTU ground operatives and clerical staff during their recent "catch-up" claim with cabin crew has not endeared him to many employees. In the end, Aer Lingus had to concede the claim, which cost it between £4 million and £6 million in lost revenue.