Politicians, hoteliers and unions all fear less competition for consumers

The Taoiseach, hotel industry representatives and a trade union are all expressing the same concern — that a Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus would result in less competition for consumers.

Enda Kenny said the Government has concerns about the bid “in terms of competition, in terms of consumer facilities in terms of price and access to the country”.

He said the Cabinet would “give consideration to the bid” but that it has no power to block it because it is a minority shareholder. “We don’t have a veto on this, we don’t have any blocking rights,” Mr Kenny told the Dáil during leaders’ questions.