asked the Minister for Transport if Aer Lingus own part of a company (details supplied), if so, the amount of public moneys involved, if any, if he is aware of the disquiet caused by the relationship in the travel trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Are Lingus Company Ownership.
15.
Enterprise Travel Limited is a tour operating company registered in Northern Ireland in which Aer Lingus has been a minority shareholder for a number of years. The airline's current stake in Enterprise is 20 per cent. The airline's shareholding was financed from its own resources and no public moneys were involved. I am aware that negotiations are taking place about the question of Are Lingus increasing its shareholding in Enterprise, but no representations have been made to me by the travel trade in the matter.
Am I correct in saying that the negotiations concluded successfully on the part of Aer Lingus in that the company will have a majority rather than a minority shareholding?
The Deputy is correct in saying that.
Is the Minister aware that a whole series of charter flights to the US had to be abandoned and that several private travel agencies here suffered heavy losses because of the interest shown by Aer Lingus in the majority shareholding of that company?
I do not think the Deputy should pursue that line much further because Aer Lingus went to the rescue of the group concerned and are guaranteeing the carrying of all the people involved. Aer Lingus acted in good faith and the suggestion that there were underhand machinations at work as far as the company was concerned is untrue and unfounded. If the facts were put before the Deputy he would recognise that Aer Lingus rescued the entire operation and are to be complimented for doing so.
I will permit one final supplementary from Deputy Deasy. We cannot spend the entire afternoon on one question.
In the process the company probably rescued themselves to a greater extent. Is the Minister saying that newspaper reports to the effect that tour operators incurred heavy financial losses as a result of this action are untrue?
I take exception to the manner in which the Deputy is referring to the involvement of Aer Lingus in this. It was because Aer Lingus went to the rescue of that company that their involvement must be greater. Aer Lingus have guaranteed safe passage to the people who would otherwise have been left stranded.
What about the newspaper reports? Were they accurate?
The Minister did not answer the question which concerned heavy financial losses by private tour operators.
I am not so aware. The nine tour operators that comprised the board of Enterprise are happy with the negotiations that are taking place.
Is the Minister aware that one of them has decided to take court proceedings?
He is so happy he is going to court about the matter.