Brendan Howlin
Ceist:57 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to privatise Aer Lingus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14943/97]
Written Answers. - Aer Lingus Privatisation.
In February 1997 my predecessor Deputy Alan Dukes mandated the board of Aer Lingus to explore the possibilities of entering into a major strategic alliance with or without the transfer of equity and to submit proposals to the shareholder by the end of 1997.
This mandate was issued in order to allow Aer Lingus the freedom to examine if there are advantages in an appropriate alliance, having regard to trends in the European and global aviation markets.
In fulfilment of the mandate, Aer Lingus management is currently engaged in a fact finding process. The results of this process will in the first instance be considered by the Board who will make a submission to me before the end of this year.
I have already stated that I will, subject to Government approval, publish this document.
While it is early days yet in the examination process and therefore inappropriate to speculate on any possible future outcome, a positive Government decision on an alliance proposal will only be taken where such an alliance is clearly in the best interests of securing the future of the airline, having regard to the needs of all stake-holders, including staff.
This approach is entirely consistent with Government policy on the state sector as outlined in the action programme for the millennium.