asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any members of the executive officer staff and ground staff of Aer Lingus are non-nationals; and, if so, how many in each group.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Staffs.
The appointment of staff in Aer Lingus is a matter for the directors of the company and is one in which the Minister for Industry and Commerce has no function. It has not been the practice to obtain from Aer Lingus particulars of the staff employed by the company.
Is it possible the Minister and his Department are not consulted as to whether people appointed to executive positions are non-nationals or otherwise?
The Minister stated that he has no function in the matter.
Is it not a fact that the Minister appoints the chairman who makes these appointments?
Deputies are aware that there are very few of the positions there held by non-nationals. Deputies are also aware that this company is not a purely Irish company. It is a company which is operated by Great Britain and this country, there are British directors on it and the British are responsible for 50 per cent. of the losses of the company.