Vol. 485 No. 2
57 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current position regarding a proposed strategic alliance for Aer Lingus; and if the Government will set out the criteria, if any, in assessing the proposal in this regard. [22751/97]
The Government's position on a possible strategic alliance for Aer Lingus remains as set out in my reply to a similar question, Question No. 57, on 1 October 1997.
By letter dated 25 March 1997, my predecessor, Deputy Alan Dukes, mandated the board of Aer Lingus to "explore the possibilities of entering into a strategic alliance with or without transfer of equity, and to submit proposals to the shareholder by end of 1997".
The current position is that the company has sought and I have agreed to an extension of the original mandate deadline of the end of this year. The company has cited the complexities of the international airline business and the current focus of management on the very important matter of the future of TEAM. My Department will discuss a revised timeframe for the strategic alliance mandate with Aer Lingus management in the new year.
