Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:100 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future of Aer Lingus. [13736/03]
Written Answers. - Aer Lingus.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:113 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recent statement made by the chief executive of Aer Lingus that the airline would fly to up to 16 additional destinations in the US if the rules regarding transatlantic aviation could be changed; if it is intended to seek such changes to facilitate the development of these routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/03]
Seán Ryan
Ceist:141 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the Government's proposals for the future of Aer Lingus, especially having regard to the strategic importance of the company for the tourism industry; the discussions he has had with the management or the trade unions regarding the future of the airline; if a decision has been made to sell off all or part of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 113 and 141 together.
The Deputies may be aware that on 15 April 2003, the Government approved the redrafting of the Aer Lingus Bill 2000 to give effect to the employee share ownership plan agreed between the Government and Aer Lingus unions in December 2001 and to provide for a process of private sector investment in the airline. Work on redrafting the Bill is now under way and I expect it to be finalised over the next few weeks. I will then seek Government approval to publish the Bill and to introduce it in the current parliamentary session.
The Government agreed that the Minister for Finance and I should review the situation regarding the timing of the actual external investment process, taking account of market conditions and the company's funding requirements. When the review is completed, I will revert to the Government on the timing and nature of a transaction mechanism to give effect to any private sector investment in Aer Lingus. As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 81 one of the issues I will consider in finalising the Irish position on an EU-US open skies mandate for the upcoming transport Council meeting is the opportunities for Aer Lingus and therefore Irish tourism of opening new US services. In this context, I have carefully noted the Aer Lingus position on this issue.