Taoiseach says ‘clock not ticking yet’ on Aer Lingus deal

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said "the clock hasn't started ticking yet" on International Airlines Group's bid for Aer Lingus.

Fine Gael and Labour TDs have expressed concerns about selling the State's 25 per cent to IAG.

“IAG have made an offer to the board of Aer Lingus. The board of Aer Lingus have said that they’ll consider the offer. They haven’t actually accepted the offer. So the clock hasn’t started ticking yet,” Mr Kenny said.

Speaking in Leopardstown on Thursday, Mr Kenny said the Government had to consider the “broader sense of impact of what’s involved here” for the country, including job opportunities and connectivity.

“The details of all of that will be very carefully assessed by the Minister for Transport who will report to Government.”

He said Government would decide on the best option when it was appropriate.

Tanaiste Joan Burton said foreign direct investment had a key role in "headlining Ireland as a go-to, can-do place", and it was absolutely essential that companies had access into and out of Ireland.

She said difficulties were caused when Heathrow’s Shannon slots were transferred to Belfast.

“Obviously as the Government is a share-holder there’s a limit to what we can say in terms of the process that’s underway.”

She also said Aer Lingus had transformed itself in recent years.

Share in the airline were trading 2 per cent lower in Dublin on Thursday.