Government should sell Aer Lingus stake

AER LINGUS was probably the most prestigious semi-state body (SSB) in Ireland.

Growth and success was built on a strong reputation for customer service over many decades. It became the apple in the Government’s eye and for many citizens travelling in and out of Ireland for decades.

This changed when the Government decided to privatise the airline. But the Government can’t really have it both ways — it can’t ‘cash in’ and still maintain a minority shareholding.

Shannon’s recent loss of its Heathrow route, while regrettable, highlights this. If the State’s 25% minority stake represents “security of the national interest”, then why didn’t the Government do something?

The Government has a minority shareholding and a major conflict of interest. It needs to relinquish its remaining stake and let Aer Lingus operate freely like most other airlines.

The airline is no longer an SSB and has the ability and freedom to develop new routes without feeling under a compliment to a silent and contradictory Government which seems to have caused nothing but stumbling blocks as the recent loss of the Shannon-Heathrow route showed.

New investors should be allowed to come in and the Government should take its shareholding out and put it into areas such as the health service where it’s really needed.

Calnan O’Mahony

Laurel Ridge

Shanakiel

Cork