Govt Shannon intervention 'inappropriate" - Govt

[hiding behind a poster]

I think the government would want to remember that it's supposed to represent the interests of the Irish people and not the management of Aerlingus.

Afterall part of all the hundreds of millions pumped into Aerlingus over the last 40- 50 years has been paid for by those living or leaving the West through Shannon.

But by that logic, the majority of the hundreds of millions pumped into Aer Lingus was paid for by those with no connection at all to the mid-west. Now given that the government can't realistically hold a referendum on the issue, it should then act in accordance with whatever maximises the share price of Aer Lingus, and as such is of benefit to every taxpayer in the country, rather than just those of a regional lobby group.

[Rocky]

I presume all those FFers who were at the meeting last night will now resign from the party anyway.

[Schuhart]

Ireland’s interests are best served by dynamic competition, with Aer Lingus as a strong player.

Sounds fine by me, particularly if the alternative is an airline forced to take instruction from Willie O’Dea.

[FutureTaoiseach]

HBAP do you want the govt to use its 25% stake to reverse the Belfast decision.

[hiding behind a poster]

HBAP do you want the govt to use its 25% stake to reverse the Belfast decision.

Certainly not, and for several reasons. Firstly, government interference would scare off institutional investors, and thus depress the share price. Secondly, because the government holds a stake in Aer Lingus on behalf of the whole country, not the regional lobby group that shouts the loudest - and as such should protect the investment it holds on the taxpayer's behalf. Thirdly because, as someone who has worked in the aviation industry, in both Dublin and Shannon for the last 14 years, I believe that the forecasts of doom from the Shannon lobby are hugely overstated, as is the extent to which a Heathrow connection is actually required in the region. Fourthly because I believe the decision to move the slots to Belfast is a commercial no-brainer for Aer Lingus. Fifthly, because I believe it suits our wider economic interests for the border to become less and less relevant economically, and thus encourage Irish companies to exploit the spare capacity and potential in the North's economy. And sixthly, because sooner or later Shannon airport will have to stand on its own two feet and compete for business like everyone else, so it may as well start now to get its financial house in order, rather than rely on government protection until its too late.

There's probably a seventhly, and eighly and a ninthly too, but I can't remember them right now.

[Odyessus]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the situation, it will be very embarrassing for the government at the EGM when O'Leary and the ESOP move to reverse the board's decision. It will also be interesting to see how the Irish Times spins it. Who does madam hate more: O'Leary or Bertie? Oh, dear! If only the bad guys were on the same side!

[HanleyS]

I think the government would want to remember that it's supposed to represent the interests of the Irish people and not the management of Aerlingus.

Afterall part of all the hundreds of millions pumped into Aerlingus over the last 40- 50 years has been paid for by those living or leaving the West through Shannon.

We are all, each and every one of us shareholders in Aer Lingus. Not just the people of the West.

[HanleyS]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the situation, it will be very embarrassing for the government at the EGM when O'Leary and the ESOP move to reverse the board's decision. It will also be interesting to see how the Irish Times spins it. Who does madam hate more: O'Leary or Bertie? Oh, dear! If only the bad guys were on the same side!

I disagree. It would have been far more embarassing to have relied on O'Leary to bail them out. In fact, that is a good reason in itself to keep out of it.

[mollox]

The content of the govt statement is hardly unexpected.
Does anyone actually believe that Bertie knew nothing about this Aer Lingus move until shortly before it was announced?
They can wallpaper Govt Buildings with denials, but I'll remain convinced that this was probably nodded through months ago as part of the package of Southern investments to cement the NI power-sharing arrangements in order to safeguard Bertie's legacy.

[rockofcashel]

great craic in the west in 2009 methinks

Well, no. Remember, the good people of Galway were being poisoned and voted FF. Most commuter counties, the ones where people buy cars with trays and spoon holders to eat the cornflakes with while stuck in traffic, they voted FF. The people of Kerry, where every last field, and some of the foreshore, seems to be being built on, they voted FF. RoC, lets face it, FF have some sort of hold over the population. Im baffled, but there it is... This will have no longterm effect on the voting habits of the people affected by it as they will stick with nurse for fear of worse.

People are more ready to give them a kicking in locals, than in Generals..