Ministers: No deal yet on Aer Lingus sale

Airline to publish annual results as unions brief stewards on offer

A series of Government ministers have moved to insist nothing has been agreed on the sale of Aer Lingus after former minister Pat Rabbitte claimed the deal was in the best interests of the country.

The comments were made as the airline prepares to publish its annual results today, and as Aer Lingus unions distanced themselves from a claim by an umbrella group secretary the sale should be backed by staff.