Transport Minister to meet IAG boss today to discuss Aer Lingus bid

Transport Minister Paschal Donohue will meet with International Airlines Group (IAG) boss Willie Walsh this afternoon to discuss its takeover offer for Aer Lingus.

Mr Walsh is spending two days in Dublin trying to convince the Government to accept the offer for the State's 25% of the former national flag carrier.

Mr Walsh will also meet civil servants in Dublin today - and will speak before the Oireachtas Transport Committee tomorrow.

"Representatives of the Government have met IAG now on two occasions," said Minister Donohue.

"I will be meeting Willie Walsh myself this afternoon, to make clear those issues that are of great concern to the Government, to outline the areas in which we will evaluate any potential bid.

"Those areas continue to be access in and out of our country, growing that for the future, the impact on employment … and then also considering what is the right decision for the Irish taxpayer."

Tánaiste Joan Burton has dismissed suggestions that the decision has already been made to reject the takeover bid.

She said that no decision has yet been made by the Government - but she expects the coming days will shed more light on the issues at hand.