A meeting between the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke and trade unions representing staff in Aer Lingus took place this afternoon.
It is expected that the future sale or floatation of the company will be put to the unions following meetings with Mrs O’Rourke’s advisors - City Group and AIB - earlier this month.
The talks follow reports last week that the valuation of Aer Lingus could be reduced by 40 per cent and that it might be sold off to another airline company.
The company is believed to have reduced its notional valuation by up to 40 per cent following trading difficulties
Sources close to the company believe a fall in profits this year could diminish its value to £300 million compared with a maximum valuation last year of £500 million.
Mrs O’ Rourke has also invited representatives from SIPTU to the meeting.