O'Cuiv denies Govt split over Aer Lingus crisis

The Minister for Rural Affairs Eamon O'Cuiv has denied that the Government is split over the controversial Aer Lingus decision to axe its Shannon to Heathrow route.

The Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea and the Minister for the Environment John Gormley have both come out this week in favour of government intervention in the decision.

Reports in this morning's Sunday Independent claim Minister O'Cuiv has joined the opposition.

However, he has this afternoon denied this and said he fully supports the Transport Minister's position that it would be inappropriate to interfere.