The Taoiseach has rejected claims that a U-turn has been done on the sale of Aer Lingus. He was also accused of "repudiating" and "abandoning" the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke. Labour deputy leader Mr Brendan Howlin said Ms O'Rourke announced the "trade sale" of the national airline 10 days ago. "Yesterday the Taoiseach told the House that there was no trade sale and that the Government decision to float the company stood. What is the Government policy?"
Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan hit out at suggestions that the airline would go for £300 million as an "insult to the national carrier and to everyone who works for Aer Lingus". The company had to be restored to "good health" before any decision was taken. Mr Ahern replied that "there is no change" to the December 1999 Government decision authorising the Minister to initiate a process leading to an initial public offering of shares in Aer Lingus. That was still the Government decision.
Mr Emmet Stagg (Lab, Kildare North) claimed it was a U-turn and said the Minister was "on a radio quiz show" rather than being in the House, where she had 11 pieces of legislation going through the Oireachtas. Mr Pat Rabbitte (Lab, Dublin South West) said the Taoiseach was "abandoning" and "repudiating" the Minister.