Aer Lingus resignations - Government must act quickly

The resignation announcements by the three most senior executives of Aer Lingus threatens to open a rift between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, which could jeopardise the stability of the Government.

There is an obvious lack of trust between the Government and the resigning executives. Having already paid some glowing tributes to the business prowess of the executives in turning around the fortunes of Aer Lingus in the difficult period following the events of September 11, 2001, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appeared to question that contribution in the Dáil yesterday.

“The level of trust between management and unions is non-existent,” he said. The unions accuse management of claiming all the credit for turning the company around, without giving due credit for the huge contribution made by the staff of the company. Mr Ahern added that the workers are “determined not to yield up savings which they perceive are intended to enrich a management team concerned with its own position rather than the company’s future”.