Dáil approves Aer Lingus sale
The Dáil has voted to approve the sale of the Government's remaining stake in Aer Lingus.
TDs voted 74 to 51 in favour of the sale to IAG, in a deal worth €335m.
Labour's Michael McNamara was the only defector from the Government parties, and is expelled from the parliamentary party as a result.
Aer Lingus has welcomed the decision with the group's Chairman, Colm Barrington, saying: "This is a compelling transaction for Aer Lingus, its shareholders, its employees, its customers and for Ireland.
"Shareholders will realise an attractive return through the premium that the IAG offer provides over the level of our share price immediately prior to the announcement of IAG’s offer.
Aer Lingus will reap the commercial and strategic benefits of being part of the much larger and globally diverse IAG Group and as a member of the oneworld alliance of 17 airlines that together carry over 500 million passengers."
He said it would accelerate enhance Ireland’s position as a natural gateway connecting Europe and North America.
He said: "It will give Irish tourism access to major traffic flows and customer loyalty programmes and provide better access for business interests and to cargo flows.
"This in turn will lead to an increase in jobs at Aer Lingus, in support activities and the tourism sector and, importantly, will strengthen connectivity to and from Ireland."
