Labour delegates oppose Aer Lingus sale under current terms

Labour delegates overwhelmingly passed an emergency moton opposing the sale of Aer Lingus to IAG under the terms currently offered.

The motion, which was signed by a number of TDs, said there was serious concern that the bid failed to reflect the true value of the airline and, therefore, an independent valuation of its assets was required.

Dublin North TD Brendan Ryan said the motion put the interests of the Irish people, economy and the Aer Lingus at its heart.

"Labour has always sought to act in the best interests of Aer Lingus, a company that has done so much to spread a positive and vibrant and successful image for Ireland since it was formed in the 1930s,'' he added.

Mr Ryan said Labour opposed the deal, not out of self-interest but because it was a bad deal.

Every deal, he said, must be judged on its merits. “We judged this deal and we opposed it,’’ he added. “There may be a deal sometime in the future, which meets all our concerns and copperfastens our connectivity and the terms and conditions of workers’ employment.’’

He said any other deal would be judged on its merits.

Dublin Central TD Joe Costello said the airline had a very proud record and had been privatised, except for 25 per cent, against the wishes of the Labour party.

He said IAG chief executive Willie Walsh had said he did not do second bids. "Already, Willie Walsh is doing the third bid,'' he added.

To applause, Siptu president Jack O’Connor said the time to prevent the sale of Aer Lingus was when the majority shareholding was disposed of, and not now when the horse had bolted.

“I support the motion as far as it goes,’’ he added.

Geoff McEvoy, Dublin, said it was unfortunate that the TDs backing the motion did not get more consistent support from “certain members of the parliamentary party who really should have known better’’.

He said that if Mr Walsh came back with a better offer, it would be because of Laobur putting its principles first.

Clare TD Michael McNamara said there was no negativity in holding on to Aer Lingus, given that it was increasing in value.

He added the airline was important in terms of regional development.

“One of the values of the shareholding is that Aer Lingus cannot be broken up into its constituent parts and sold off,’’ he added.