The airline fighting US authorities for the right to start low-cost flights between Cork and the US gave written assurances over a year ago that it would not hire any crew members on the cheap from low-wage countries in Asia.

Ireland’s road safety record improved more than that of any other EU country last year, with a 15% drop in fatal accident rates.

The European Commission is stepping in to break the deadlock threatening the launch of the first transatlantic flights from Cork.