Ahern rules out u-turn on Aer Lingus flotation

The Taoiseach is insisting that the proposed flotation of Aer Lingus has not been abandoned in favour of a trade sale.

The Taoiseach is insisting that the proposed floatation of Aer Lingus has not been abandoned in favour of a trade sale.

The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke, first suggested a sale of the airline as an option earlier this month.

Opposition parties said that a £300m sell-off is an insult to the company, but Bertie Ahern said there would be no u-turn on the sale.

He added that the Government firmly believes that privatisation is the best way forward for the airline.