Selling the AA

Sir, - I read the article in your business section of September 2nd concerning the proposed sale of the Automobile Association…

Sir, - I read the article in your business section of September 2nd concerning the proposed sale of the Automobile Association to Centrica. This stated that it appeared that the members of the AA were voting overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals. I wonder if you are aware that Irish members are being discriminated against?

All members have been offered approximately Stg£240 if the sale goes through; however, members resident in Britain have been offered, in addition, the incentive of at least Stg£840 worth of discounts from British Gas subsequent to the sale. No corresponding offer has been made to 32-county Irish members. In the Irish context alone, with approximately 80,000 members, the potential loss to them exceeds Stg£67 million.

It seems to me that Centrica is obtaining the business assets of the AA at a fraction of their real value and that on the face of it, there is an oppression of these members' rights. - Yours, etc.,

John E. V. Kenny, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.