Selling Aer Lingus is being considered again by the Government, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said this morning.
The return of the airline to profitability following restructuring means a sale is possible and a private-sector future was probably the best option for the company, he said.
Mr Brennan said the conditions and pay of staff, the future of the Aer Lingus brand and the transatlantic routes would all have to be safeguarded before talks started on a price.
He forecast opening the second terminal at Dublin Airport in the summer of 2005. Mr Brennan said a expect panel would be in place within days to assess the expressions of interest in building the terminal. He hopes the project will go out to tender in months.
The Minister also said he was committed to setting up separate boards of management at Shannon and Cork Airports.