Minister backs UK order for Ryanair stake cut

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has backed a UK competition authority decision ordering Ryanair to sell down its 30% stake in Aer Lingus due to the State airline’s potential takeover by the International Airlines Group.

The senior cabinet member made the comments as he insisted the sale saga will be “brought to a definitive conclusion one way or the other” in the coming weeks, despite admitting a valuation of the lucrative Heathrow slots has yet to take place.

At a press briefing to mark the one-millionth customer of the Government’s Leap card transport service, the Fine Gael TD said he is supportive of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority’s decision to force Ryanair to sell down its 30% stake by at least 25%.