andMr. Cott asked the Minister for Transport and Power the source from which and conditions under which £15 million was borrowed by Aer Lingus; and if he will explain how this money was in the form of share investment by the Government in Aer Lingus.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Borrowing.
16.
The £15 million borrowed by Aer Lingus was raised from a number of external sources; the conditions under which these moneys were borrowed are confidential to the company except to the extent that may be disclosed in the company's balance sheet.
The reason why and the manner in which the £15 million was invested by the Government in the Air Companies was explained by me in detail to the House in the course of the second reading of the Air Companies (Amendment) Bill, 1969. The explanation I then gave was rather lengthy and I do not think it necessary to restate it now but I would refer the Deputies to columns 386 to 388 of Volume 241, No. 3 of the Official Report dated 9th July, 1969. If, however, the Deputies have some aspect of the transaction in mind not covered by that explanation in that debate, I will be glad to answer in more specific terms any further question which they may wish to put down.
Who now owns Aer Lingus?
The company concerned.
But who are the company concerned?
Aer Lingus-Aerlínte. Irish International Airlines. The Deputy should grow up.