Taoiseach backs civil servant over Aer Lingus controversy

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is defending the most senior civil servant in his Department today after it emerged that the Taoiseach's office was made aware of the airline's decision to drop Heathrow slots at Shannon Airport before it became official.

According to reports in today's Irish Examiner newspaper, Dermot McCarthy was informed of the move by the Department of Transport on July 27.