Aer Lingus report is expected soon

Financial experts who were given the task of deciding the likely future of the state-owned airline, Aer Lingus, are expected to present their report to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke, in the next few days.

Minister O'Rourke has repeated that she favours floating the company on the stock market instead of selling it to another operator, but she says that she will make her final decision on the basis of this week's report.

Minister O'Rourke says that it must be remembered that the aviation industry is currently in a state of global decline and that despite its many problems, Aer Lingus is doing well when it is compared to its European counter-parts.

Ms O'Rourke says that she still feels that a stock-market floatation is the best option for the company but that factors such as the current market, potential offers and the expected report will be taken into account.