Vol. 439 No. 1
16 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the conditions imposed by the European Commission on its consent to the investment by the Government of £175 million in the Aer Lingus Group; and the undertakings given by the Government in the letter which it sent to the Commission prior to this consent by the Commission.
The decision of the European Commission is due to be published shortly in the Official Journal of the European Union. The published decision will contain the terms of the Commission's approval of the Government's investment in Aer Lingus, including any conditions attaching thereto. The decision will also indicate the undertakings given by the Government.
I am particularly pleased that, as a result of the Government's efforts, the very onerous conditions which at one time appeared likely to emerge did not materialise. The limited conditions which have been laid down by the Commission will apply for a relatively short period and, in any event, not later than 1995.
Aer Lingus has confirmed that the terms of the Commission's decision should not restrict the airline's ability to operate commercially in accordance with its strategy which has been endorsed by the Government.
