The long debated issue of the sale of the Government’s share in the airline has finally reached a conclusion.
It is understood that the deal was agreed at a meeting this evening.
Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh has informed the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe that he “does not foresee compulsory redundancies or outsourcing of jobs or outsourcing of jobs in the event of IAG buying the Government’s 25 per cent stake in the company.”
As part of the deal, the Government would reportedly have a veto on any sale of the existing Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow airport in London, and a seven-year guarantee on the use of these slots for connectivity with Irish airports.
The sale deal would also would involve assurances from IAG that 650 additional staff would be recruited in Aer Lingus,and an additional eight transatlantic aircraft would be based in Ireland.
A Dáil vote on the issue is expected tomorrow.