IBEC sees benefit in proposed Aer Lingus sale

IBEC has said the proposed sale of Aer Lingus to IAG would be beneficial for the company, tourism and inward investment.

The business body was appearing at the Oireachtas Transport Committee alongside tourist groups, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.

Concerns have been raised about connectivity issues for regional airports in particular, if the takeover went ahead.

IBEC said it polled thousands of their members on their thoughts on the proposed sale and added consensus was hard to reach, but was a rare positive voice before the committee.

Both the IDA - whose clients include Google and Facebook - and Enterprise Ireland, which represent Irish exporters said connectivity was vital to their thousands of client companies.

They also noted more information would be needed on IAG's future plans for Aer Lingus before they could back a sale.

Cross party politicians raised fears from their constituents about the regional airports being left behind.

Sinn Féin's Dessie Ellis has called for a referendum on the issue, despite the fact that the Government only control 25% of Aer Lingus.