LABOUR CONFERENCE: Delegates reject Aer Lingus sale plan

Grass-roots members have overwhelmingly rejected plans to sell the State’s “jewel in the crown”, Aer Lingus, unless IAG agrees to an independent valuation of the firm alongside further regional connectivity and jobs guarantees.

TDs Joe Costello, Robert Dowds, Dominic Hannigan, Seán Kenny, John Lyons, Eamon Maloney, Michael McNamara, and Brendan Ryan put forward a motion against the sale of the Government’s 25.1% stake, stressing any bid cannot be accepted unless it includes:

• An “independent valuation” of Aer Lingus assets, including “a valuation of the 23 Heathrow slots”;
• A“firm commitment in the form of registered employment agreements” preventing outsourcing of jobs, compulsory redundancies, and cuts to contract conditions;
• “Meaningful and reliable” long-term guarantees on connectivity and Heathrow slots;
• A clear plan on how Cork and Shannon airports will continue to be promoted should any sale take place, taking into account “impact on their individual regions”.