Rabbitte attacks Aer Lingus sellout decision

LABOUR leader Pat Rabbitte last night criticised the Government decision to sell off a majority stake in Aer Lingus as his party’s annual conference got under way in Tralee, Co Kerry.

In doing so, however, he exposed one of the key differences between Labour and Fine Gael, the party with which he wants to form a pre-election pact.

Although it is concerned with other aspects of the Government’s aviation package, Fine Gael has voiced no opposition to the sale of the Aer Lingus stake. Labour is firmly opposed to it, however.