Ahern pledges to help Aer Lingus

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has pledged that the Government will do all it can to help Aer Lingus.

Mr Ahern says the collapse of the airline would be a national disaster. Speaking at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin, he said job losses are inevitable but the survival of Aer Lingus is crucial.

He said: "We can't turn the clock back on the events of September 11 but we must and will bring Aer Lingus through this crisis in the best shape we can."