Aer Lingus buyout - State must profit from any deal

SINCE Aer Lingus was founded 68 years ago, the national airline has served Ireland well.

Down the years the company has survived turbulent times, emerging as a streamlined, slimmed down and efficient operation, run as Europe’s most profitable State-owned airline.

With its future in the balance, it would be folly of the Government to reach a hasty decision to sell it off. Therefore yesterday’s move to establish a Cabinet sub-committee to examine all the issues relating to the proposed management buyout of Aer Lingus was the right thing to do.