Minister refuses to comment on Aer Lingus woes

The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O’Rourke, has refused to comment on reports that Aer Lingus is facing bankruptcy following last week’s attacks in the United States.

Reports yesterday suggested that the national airline is now facing losses of £100m this year because of the effect the attacks will have on air travel.

Aer Lingus was already struggling because of the fallout from foot-and-mouth disease and the downturn in the global economy, but last week’s atrocities are likely to cause a severe drop in passenger numbers.