I have no proposals before me for a strategic alliance between Aer Lingus and any other airline. If such a proposal were to emerge, I would certainly give it careful consideration.
On a broader point, I would encourage Aer Lingus to develop linkages with foreign airlines with a view to improving access to international markets as well as achieving additional earnings in areas such as maintenance, overhaul and training. These objectives can be achieved in a number of ways short of a strategic alliance, such as, for example, joint venture agreements and service contracts. Aer Lingus have already been successful in developing a number of such linkages.