Further Aer Lingus jobs at risk

There are fears of further job losses at Aer Lingus as passenger numbers fail to recover in the wake of the attacks in the United States last month.

The company has refused to comment ahead of a board meeting next week, but sources have indicated that the initial 25% reduction in operations may be just the beginning.

1,700 Aer Lingus jobs are officially already on the line but if the airline fails to recoup business that figure could rise significantly.

Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke is currently in Brussels asking the European Commission to allow the Irish Government to provide aid for Aer Lingus.

Under EU law, member states can only provide cash for commercial businesses in exceptional circumstances.

Labour MEP Pronsias de Rossa, who is also lobbying to EC to sanction state aid for Aer Lingus, has said he believes the commission will allow the move if the Irish Government puts forward a cogent argument.