Irish government assesses IAG’s offer for Aer Lingus

The Irish Government has appointed a set of advisers to evaluate the offer to purchase Aer Lingus by IAG. The group of advisors is chaired by the Department of Transport and comprises representatives from the departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and NewEra – the body set up in 2011 to manage the Government’s shareholdings in semi-state companies. The Irish Government is holding a cabinet meeting this morning to debate the importance of Aer Lings to the economy amid criticism that a takeover could lose Ireland’s connectivity. IAG has however already committed to “continue to provide connectivity to Ireland”