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THE COALITION HAS come under fire in the Dáil over the decision to accept an IAG proposal to buy the State’s 25.1 per cent stake in Aer Lingus.
The government yesterday decided to back IAG’s €1.4 billion buyout of airline after four months of uncertainty.
The deal values the taxpayer-owned share at around €335 million.
After a blazing row over Dáil procedures, a lengthy debate over the proposal to sell the airline got underway and involved several contributions with nearly all opposition parties and independents TDs opposing the sale.
Independent left TD Clare Daly said the main driver of the IAG bid was to satisfy the commercial interests of the aviation giant’s British, European and Middle Eastern shareholders.
She accused the government of orchestrating the protracted negotiations over IAG’s offer which resulted in a bid with improved conditions that was agreed by cabinet last night.
There is absolutely no doubt now in my mind that the process that has been under way over the past number of months is nothing more than a stage-managed, orchestrated charade designed to give the illusion that ye were tossing and turning and debating issues and wrestling concessions from IAG, when in actual fact ye’d already decided upon the outcome long ago.
Anti-austerity TD Ruth Coppinger accused the government of “steamrollering” the motion through the Dáil giving no time for those opposed to the sale to put pressure on Labour TDs over “this act of treachery”.
“It won’t be forgotten and will be the final nail in their [Labour's] coffin. Aer Lingus doesn’t need IAG, IAG needs Aer Lingus.”
Last night, the eight Labour TDs who had opposed the original offer – including Joe Costello, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons – indicated they were supportive of the revised proposal.
Banking inquiry chairman and Cork South-Central TD Ciarán Lynch said the revised offer is a “very significant improvement” on the original offer and represents a good deal.
Sinn Féin’s transport spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, said that the decision would be one the country would come to regret in the future.
This is the wrong deal for Ireland and Labour knows it, but they do not have the courage to act on that knowledge. Fine Gael and IAG are thick as thieves and your party having got the run around are being trotted out to say how all concerns have been allayed.
“Aer Lingus is worth infinitely more to Ireland than the €335 million this government will get for cashing in the 25 per cent Fianna Fáil left the state with after their calamitous reign,” he said.
For its part, Fianna Fáil said tonight it would attempt to suspend further Dáil debate and the proposed vote on the sale after the emergence of a consultants report which sets out out a range of cost reductions across the airline.
The Nyras report, which was commissioned by Aer Lingus, includes a proposal to outsource part of the the airline’s aircraft maintenance to Eastern Europe.
Transport spokesperson Timmy Dooley said the report needs consideration by the government and TDs. He called for the Dáil debate to be suspended in the meantime.
“If there is a shred of good faith on the Government benches, there will be no vote on the future of Aer Lingus unless and until TDs get to examine all the relevant paperwork relating to this deal and to the airline’s plans, including the Nyras Report,” he said.
Originally published 6.42pm
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Absolutely choreographed kabuki theater of the worst kind. With the country still on a high after the huge equality referendum win, they sneak this one in, kenny refuses to answer questions, the they make the announcement after the news cycle. THEN the public representatives have to show up at the Dail today to debate the sale without having been given any information pertaining to it.
Several deputies said it today, kenny has once again showed an absolute barefaced contempt for our democratic institutions.
There is no doubt that this announcement was held back until after the Bye Election on Kilkenny/ Carlow , so as to maximise the FG and Labour Votes there .
This Gangster Government had long since decided to sell more of the Family Jewels , for their EU and German Masters !
Is there any depths that these rogues won’t bend to , so as to sell out Ireland?
Siteserv / Irish Water / Aer Lingus , sold down the Swanee !
They have been doing it for more then 95 years – are we surprised that they continue to sell us out ?
Sneak it in? Ha.
Other than the referendum, it’s been one of the major stories for errrmmm 4 MONTHS.
Hardly the gov’ts fault that you and the LLA can’t multi-task.
It hasn’t actually, theres been minor stories about the report being compiled/completed, but the first news of the sale actually going ahead was this week. The timing sticks of sleveen opportunism, just like everything else they do.
IAG’s Willie Walsh is currently the chairperson of the National Treasury Management Agency which has responsibility for NewERA, the holding company for most state assets. This is surely a conflict of interest as NewERA’s role includes “advising on the governance of the State companies and their respective financial and commercial operation, including the expected rate of return on capital and appropriate dividend policy.” That Mr. Walsh is currently bidding to buy a company in which the state holds a 25.1% interest is most assuredly a clear conflict of interest “.
I must have been hearing things and seeing articles that weren’t there then. Bloody Denis O’Brien. Double layers of tin-foil from now on.
Or maybe you’re just full of BS and are assuming your opinions are facts again.
Let’s be honest Wee Jammin & Ilovekerry you two would be disgraced at anything positive this government do.
I’ve yet to see anything positive or remotely intelligent from the 2 of you.
Bobby: “That Mr. Walsh is currently bidding to buy a company in which the state holds a 25.1% interest is most assuredly a clear conflict of interest”
Its one big club Bobby, and the little people aren’t allowed join. FF and FG are the two teams playing out of the club, with labour as prospective members.
Bobby, Aer Lingus is not a state asset. The government are a shareholder in a plc.
So an asset in the form of shares in a company is not a state asset?
LOL! And you condescend OTHER people ‘jason’.
Conflict of interest in Ireland. Never !!!!
That’s the end of “Labour” credibility/integrity. Get your grannies spruced up – they’re next!
kenny is a political cowboy MK76 the only multi-tasking he could do is sitting on the toilet while reading the news paper and i think you wipe his ass 2 out of 3 ant bad as the song goes.
Am…..!? a Fianna Fáil candidate won the seat…! Agree with the rest of your rant though..
Bobby that is astounding, is there any end to the depths of cronyism in this country?
FG once more put ideology (and no doubt corruption) above the long term good of the people of this country.
What happens if in 8 years IAG decide that those slots are more profitable terminating in China. At least now we have an input. We should be increasing our share in Aer Lingus.
Siteserv hasn’t gone away!
Either have the 350 Irish people with the secret Swiss HSBC Bank Accounts. I wonder if our heros (Kenny, Kelly, etc etc) are on that list ??? (come on whistleblowers, we need patriots !!!)
You talk some rubbish ivan. Increase our share in aer lingus?!? Yeah cos the state made so much money from it before when it was in public ownership?! It was a billion euro black hole for the taxpayer before FF finally got rid of most of it in 2006. You’re a typical left wing loonie.
No coincidence that a “secret” Aer Lingus report advocating job losses gets released today – after the vote. I would be surprised if the Govt weren’t aware of it beforehand – which calls into question Paschal O’Donoghue’s assertion about the new jobs that will be created.
@Pepper Brooks
Jebus,Brooks do not get your little FG panti-hose in a knot!
I’m neither left nor right. Sometimes selling government owned assets is the best thing to do, other times not.
From what I can tell, relinquishing further control over the comings & goings from this Island nation is long terms strategically a mistake.
That Sleeveen Bart Ahern is involved in plans to sell our national forestry assets..
“Absolutely choreographed kabuki theater (sic)”?
When’s the sit-in?
Aer Lingus is worth more than the paltry sum offered by IAG…….this is a disgrace. The reassurances given with regards to jobs and other facets of operation are laughable…..again the government cite a time period just as they have capped water charges for a limited amount of time. They are selling Ireland down the drain and short changing its citizens. AGAIN!
can you share your valuation model?
Why was there only one bidder and why did the market value aer lingus at a lower price?
Can you expand on your pricing model?
It fairly sped up since Siteserv revelations – “FIRE SALE”
Also, can Aer Lingus guarantee jobs if the sale did no go ahead?
70 million profit, 9% growth, new aircraft ordered which will require more staff.
Its a bigger guarantee than the takeover, where redundancies are the norm.
Jammin – you thought 200k turned up on O’Connell street for that irish water protest.
Numbers are not your forte, talking BS is
You must get up pretty early baz, to fit in lying through your teeth from your farious fake accounts so much…
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/242582/pic-3584604/
“If the meter of O’Connell street having a max capacity of 100,000 people is the measure, then certainly there was 70,000-80,000 people there today.”
This joke of a government really are on self destruct
The figure offered is higher that their balance sheet figure (which gives the worth of a company). How do you make out it is worth more????
Baz, you are something else i really don’t want to be rude and tell you what i think of you so go play outside
Were jammin…You think new aircraft means more jobs without an alliance? Honestly, stop your rubbish talk and just let it be….
So you can’t explain Andy, you just tell people they don’t know what they’re talking about and then display your own ignorance.
Yep…thats right were jammin because i know it all…
your some clown paul the current government got into power on the 5 point u turn plan = lies,lies,lies,lies and more lies fish brain how is 300,000 people out of work a good place for this country, they class jobs bridge schemes etc..people in education etc… as work ha ha ha fools are the only people that can fool a fool you. SF have never being power its people like you that would have hid in a bush while the tans burnt your grannies house down REMEMBER OUR STATE WAS FORMED WITH THE BLOOD OF THE IRISH AND BRITS ON BOTH SIDES SF FF BG UUP.Sick of this the government playing the terrorist card cause they cant blame SF for bad policies because they were never in POWER change is coming LP ARE GONE FG NEXT.
The issue that will inevitably arise once the slots embargo expires is that in the good times IAG will keep them but once another crash happens (it always does) and the business tickets to/from Ireland dry up they will switch the slots to whatever destination is making a profit.
The effect of reduced flights is less choice and increased fares which hurts tourism to Ireland, and Ireland’s appeal to foreign businesses. These are the two growth elements which lifted the economy out of last recession. Thus it’s pure short sightedness to ever sell Aer Lingus.
Bang on,very well said.
This sale is short sighted in the extreme.
And with a 25 percent stake, the state could of done what exactly?? 75 percent of company was in private bands already. Would you be happy if more tax payers money was sunk into private pensions of aer lingua staff? The days of a national carrier are over, people choose price over anything else. Ryan air is as proud an irish company as aer lingus.
The valuable ‘asset’ of Aer Lingus is in it’s heathrow slots, not its size, profitability, market share or brand image, the very same reason why Ryan Air tried to buy it previously. It’s the inevitable loss of those slots for commercial reasons that will hurt Ireland in the long term.
Cholly,
I’m not arguing for the Aer Lingus company. I’m questioning the logic of the acceptance of the potential loss of connectivity to a major world transport hub. All for a few trinkets now. Make no mistake, that will happen in 8 short years, if AIG can profit more.
Why doesn’t heir Edna or the ‘expert group*’ split Aer Lingus in two. One company holding the slot licence and the other the airline. By all means sell the Airline.
* does any one have a list of owners of those exalted opinions in said ‘expert group’. I assuming that all is above board?
The troika are in line to receive half the receipts from the sale of Aer Lingus. Heathrow slots alone are worth a small fortune. In addition there will be be a monopoly on the Dublin – Heathrow route so air fares will go up since EI & BA will no longer compete. Be prepared for fare increases on transatlantic routes also. Also EI were hurting BA as they were growing market share out of the UK due to US pre immigration clearance in DUB & SNN. The government could have got a whole lot more for Aer Lingus.
You are right, but being down to earth, Aerlingus is not a government company at present, the government has only 25% shares. Aerlingus can today, without having to be sold to IAG give up it Heathrow slots for a more profitable ones if they want to and the government has absolutely no control of it.
He’s not right.
1. No money has to go to the Troika as a minority shareholding in EI is not considered a national asset.
2. There’s no change in transatlantic traffic other than that there will be more of it. All of EI’s competition on transatlantic routes comes from N. American airlines. Why would fares go up? They may actually come down in a price war.
3. EI do not OWN the slots in Heathrow. They lease them. The value is notional. It is a hugely profitable route. Why would IAG scrap it? There are also several other airports in London. People will vote with their feet, and wallets, if fares increase.
4. IAG have already suggested that they will route MORE flights to Dublin to connect with EI’s transatlantic flights. How is this a bad thing?
So no, he’s not right. Not at all.
The expiration of the slots embargo will be akin to the expiration of the full water taxes/ charges embargo in 4 years time-disastrous for all our citizens.!
Some years ago the Economist magazine valued the Heathrow slots at 700 million pounds sterling..
I agree with that analysis.
it is a joke that these idiots are outraged at the Government selling an investment in a listed company at a huge premium.
is the government meant to me some sort of portfolio manager? Why didn’t they own Google, Facebook or Apple stock? despite these same idiots protestations at the number of jobs the government is creating by attracting these massive employers into the country?
SF/eirigi, the independents And People before Thought really should go on some sort of basic economics course before grabbing the microphone in the run up to an election.
Calm down or you’ll have an angry pee and smell of piss all evening .
None of the companies you cite are Irish owned.
“Government selling an investment in a listed company at a huge premium.”
Have a look at the valuation of the solts that will go eventually (after the next election, of course)
Also, the company is in profit and growing (9% last year, with profits of €70 Million.)
Its FG neoliberal policy once again, treating the Irish peoples assets like a graduation gift from Daddy to splice and dice to their buddies, no doubt some board seats on the way a la Brian Cowen at Topaz.
Were jammin, you obviously don’t know a lot about slots. Just listening to some rhetoric does not make you an expert on said matter!
Also, have a look at what Ryanair are doing to all European routes and the rumours about them coming on to Paris and Amsterdam…also have a look at the consolidation in the marketplace…now do you really think aer lingus will survive on their own?
All opposers are being Silly…this is best for the country and company…get over it and start to reap the benefits of being part of a giant!
“Were jammin, you obviously don’t know a lot about slots. ”
Well, instead of telling people what they don’t know, why don’t you educate us with what you do know?
‘Were jamming’ making up stuff again.
Like you made up your latest fake name wesole/dezidiac uncaged/were not jamming/in the name of/etc?
An anonymous troll called “Were Jammin” criticising others for having fake names??!
Is that you or your Wife in that profile picture of yours “Diarmuid”? People in glass houses, ya plank.
Nope, we’re not all attracted to women who resemble gorillas, Danny boy.
Glass houses? Do explain… think you’re a little slow on the old uptake there.
You can’t educate a man with his hands over his ears and his head in the sand…
Slots at Heathrow in the last decade have been like Monet paintings. Extremely rare and almost never on the market, their valuation is based on the last one sold. No one knows what the value of 10 slots would be because quite simply there’s never been 10 available now add in the fact the last exchanged hands a good few years ago and the conservative government is announcing runway expansion at Heathrow meaning that by the time 7 years is up. BA will have 100 or more new slots available.
The argument Aer Lingus is growing and profitable… Airlines are boom and bust, always have been, always will be. ANY AIRLINE can look profitable in times of increasing economic activity in it home country, $50 a barrel oil and a devalued currency (QANTAS suffered terribly the last decade because of a high AUS$ alone). This WILL NOT last. Analysts and experts have predicted that Aer Lingus is too small given the consolidation of players in the industry to survive the next contraction.
^^^ Great post.
Same old story the rich will make money out of this deal like aer lingus top brass and top shareholders of course the workers will lose out in the long run ,and the gang who passed the deal in dail eireann will jump ship when the general election comes around with their big pensions so happy are those who have power and f*** those who dont
So why are the workers in favour of it? And why do most people in the aviation industry in Ireland think it’s a good idea?
Sean Barrett, an independent TD who is an expert on transport, and lectures on it, says that this is a very bad deal and a very bad idea.
That’s why I said most people in the industry- from baggage handlers, to pilots, to senior execs
Sean Barrett is under the impression that Aer Lingus OWN all of their planes.
No more than many of the commenters on here he hasn’t the first clue about the aviation industry.
SF/PBP/AAA, represented by Werejammin and is ilk, automatically attack everything the government does. That doesn’t make the government wrong. Almost all of those DIRECTLY involved and those in related industries think this is a good idea but no, the Shinners trot out a former TV repair man on Morning Ireland to make a show of himself all in the name of trying to convince us that it’s a bad idea.
It would make you weep. With laughter.
7 yr guarantee is way to short a timeframe. No Good can come from selling our stake in Aer Lingus when we are an island nation.
this will haunt us in time and I cant believe the disappearance of Labour values on this one.
Nonsense. The said the same thing about the ferries. There still more than enough ferry services to cope with demand.
Do you think we won’t be able To get off the island anytime soon’? Ffs.
Reg. have you seen the price of the ferries, very expensive and blatant price fixing.
The states stake in aer lingua was 25 percent. They has little say in it anyway. It’s not a cash cow. The frills of a national carrier are over.
7 Years is pathetic, an insult of a ‘serious’ offer. What happens if in 8 years IAG decide that those slots are more profitable terminating in China. At least now we have an input.
‘Northern Craic’ nailed it above. “The effect of reduced flights is less choice and increased fares which hurts tourism to Ireland, and Ireland’s appeal to foreign businesses.”
For Ireland Future, this sale is strategically short sighted!!
I would like to know where does the money go that the State will get when they hand over the 25%i, anyone know?
Von, no doubt it will pay for the KPMG lead ‘investigation’ in to the sale in 10 years time :-)
Faux outrage from some.
Lack of understanding from those who wanted to nationalise Dunnes Stores.
Yawn either way.
Aer Lingus have about 600 million in cash reserves add the LHR slots and you could be looking at a billion,Not to mention aircraft ground handling equipment and office and hanger space,Looks like IAG are getting a steal of a deal.
Also when Willie was CEO of Aer Lingus he wanted to outsource catering and cleaning services,At LHR BA outsourced their catering to a company who subbed it out to another company.
Only time will tell what will happen to the slots and employees T&C,And speaking from experience when English PLC take over Irish companies all seems nice and sweet till they think that they can just rip up the contracts of their employees.
Willie Walsh advises the government to sell its 25% stake in Aer Lingus to ….. Willie Walsh.
No he didn’t, you might want to do some research before adding 2 + 2 and getting 5
Are you Willie’s brother, des? Baldy Noonan appointed Willie Walsh as chairperson of NTMA for a term of 5 years, in 2014. Part of NTMA is NewEra. NewEra manages state assets and advises on all commercial aspects of those assets. Are you trying to say that Willie Walsh had no input into both sides of the selling and buying of the states stake in Aer Lingus?
You might want to show your evidence of corruption to the authorities. Although I guess you don’t have any when you throw out childish names like baldy noonan
Did i mention corruption in my comments des? Baldy Noonan, that’s what he is known by, by those less enamoured by him and the government. There was nothing childish in his treatment of Bridget McCole, was there des?
What has Bridget McCabe got to do with Willie Walsh/Aer Lingus?
You suggest that he was playing both sides- something the stock markets don’t like. Take your evidence to the authorities instead of spouting nonsense on here
Bridget McCole was in reference to Baldy Noonan and your attempts at trying to say my comment re Baldy was childish. There is strong evidence that there may well have been something shady about dealings re Siteserv, that the stock exchange should be investigating. Is it going to do so? Not at all. So the chances of them looking into this sale of shares is slim to none. Willie Walshe’s feet in both camps, and his responsibilities to both the government and IAG, suggests a very big conflict of interest re the sale of Aer Lingus shares. The Journal invites comment on articles it publishes. As long as i stay on topic and it relates to the subject, i am perfectly entitled to voice my opinion. I dont need your permission to do so dessy boy. Do you understand me?
So calling somebody baldy isn’t childish? I don’t see how Bridget McCole relates to this or calling someone silly names.
And you have no evidence of anything sinister in relation to WW. The journal does invite comments, but it doesn’t allow implications that someone has acted inappropriately without any facts being presented
How about ‘Bloody’ Noonan or Fingers, as he known by Morgan and Stembridge!?!
Willie Walsh has been allowed ride two horses with one ar*e, you would have to be blind not to see the conflict of interest here. That’s fact.
What direct involvement had he on the Aer Lingus sale from the government side? Stop looking for conspiracy theories where there aren’t any
Who knows des. Have a look at another article published here that goes by the headline How Willie Walsh wooed the government over the sale of Aer Lingus. Is this conflict of interest to be ignored. It is no conspiracy theory, it is fact.
How do you know it was ignored and that no measures were taken to ensure he was not involved in this deal? The conspiracy theory was that he advised the government to sell to himself as per your first comment, this is far from fact
How do you know it wasn’t? And who has the government sold the shares to?
So guilty until proven innocent? Love your logic
That des, is an over simplification and still ignores the issue.
No its not. In your first post you implied that WW acted inappropriately, you have no facts whatsoever to back that up.
There are measures that can be put in place for conflicts of interest, but you also assume that they don’t exist without any evidence. So feel free to present the evidence, otherwise it’s just guilty until proven innocent
Willie Walsh NTMA ….. Willie Walsh IAG are you blind?
I must be blind, because I can’t see where you posted any evidence to refute my last point
Aer lingus is for people who are too poor to afford British airways.
Idiot comment
Clare daly is incapable of articulating a point without being aggressive and unprofessional.
In fairness Enda Kenny as per usual waffling on and on and saying nothing unlike Clare Daly who let rip and knew exactly what she was saying
They say we live in a democracy ,sometimes I truly wonder.
It is hard to take daly seriously since she called for an increase in the corporation tax rate. She has nothing positive to contribute and lacks an understanding of even basic economics.
The same Clare Daly who thinks we should nationalise Dunnes Stores?
I guess “knowing what they’re on about” is really a matter of perspective.
@Paul You could have stopped at “point”
@ Paul: Clare Daly used to work for Aer Lingus and has been front and center fighting every cut and attack on their pay and conditions.
How about yourself? Like to post your life experience?
We’re jammin. The problem is she clearly has limited understanding of economics, similar in many ways to SF, which probably increases her appeal to you.
@ Jammin Either you’re Clare Daly or you’re asking someone else to do what you yourself haven’t.
Are you Clare Daly, because that would explain a lot.
WereJammin not to many AL staff that dealt with her during her time as a shop steward speak highly of her
Must have missed that bit in business studies, the one where it states that its a good idea to sell your share in a company thats profitable and growing.
@ wayne: “WereJammin not to many AL staff that dealt with her during her time as a shop steward speak highly of her”
Course they don’t. Guess you just happen to know a completely different set of staff than I do in that case.
Funny that you claim that, when its her work in aer lingus and on local issues that won her a seat in the dail, no?
Yet ‘jamming’ she didn’t know that EI left the one world alliance in 2007…
Buy when the price is cheap ‘jamming’ sell high. Economics 101. Guess you missed a lot of school.
@ Jammin I’d say you didn’t take business studies if I’m honest.
Wasn’t it you who thought Dell should be nationalised?
@WereJammin
‘Must have missed that bit in business studies about it being a good idea to sell your shares in a company thats growing and profitable’.
Its just before the section, ‘you idiot, you should have sold your shares before’
(a) the company started losing money.
(b) the company went bust.
Trading in stocks and shares 101.
Sell while the company is on the up.
Because Enda has such a firm understanding of economics
In fairness Paul Casey she is not as “limited” as Enda who was attacked by a plant a while ago. Scary thing is Enda apparently is in charge of the country.
Werejammin she contested 4 Daíl elections before getting a seat and that came in one of the most unprecedented elections in Irish history and in the middle of our largest economic crisis!
I suspect her seat had a lot less to do with her work in Aer lingus than you think or she would not have needed so many stabs at it
But Kerry the country is doing very well. So he and the government must be doing something right. We would be up sh!tcreek if the left wingers had been in power over the last 4 years.
Doing really well following the plan agreed between FF and the Troika? Yeah right Enda “it is not our debt” is a great leader has he had any recent seismic shifts recently paul?
The left wingers did not want to follow the plan. The wanted us to take the Syriza route. God help us.
The poor dont travel gary idiot *1000/ none and*1000 again = mega idiot
How many millions of taxpayers money has been pumped into Aer Lingus over the years, anybody out there keeping tally?
Ah Paul do you not remember Enda’s fireside chat with us? As Enda said “it is not our debt” sadly he turned out to be another liar like some other politicians.
Clare Daly claimed on Sean O’Rourke today that Aer Lingus connectivity via the One World Alliance was vital for Ireland.
EI left the One World Alliance in 2007.
She does in her hole know what she’s talking about.
Kerry you are still not denying that the country is in a much better place today.
If you are looking for a real liar, look out for Gerry Adams.
very hard to no but i would say billions
Ross, surprisingly, I believe Aer Lingus has actually been a net gain to the exchequer in all the years it was under government ownership bar the “Letters of Comfort” debacle when Team Aer Lingus was sold.
your some clown paul the current government got into power on the 5 point u turn plan = lies,lies,lies,lies and more lies fish brain how is 300,000 people out of work a good place they class jobs bridge schemes etc..people in education etc… as work ha ha ha fools are the only people that can fool a fool you.
A Paul I’ve no interest in Adams to be honest I’m more concerned about the alleged leader of this country Enda “not our debt” “transparent government” claimer. I also note you Paul have stopped claiming any alleged recover is down to Enda and his minions.
You are a total f#ck tard Gary .
@the irish blackman
Unemployment rate is nearer 200,000 and not 300,000 as you claim.
It’s the lowest (9.8%) for 7 years.
Was this not big news very recently or are facts not allowed in the mindless rant?
And yes, people going back to education to upskill is a good thing.
Kerry go back and read my first point and let me state clearly that the economic recovery is as a result of the governments management and policies. Michael Noonan has shown himself to be a very effective finance minister. Unfortunately this doesn’t help the left wing cause, who feed off misery.
Like most left wingers yourself and clare daly shout negativity from the sidelines, which any fool can do. But if daly was in a position of responsibility where she actually had to make decisions, she might not be so mouthy. Apart from nationalizing Dell and raising corporation tax, what are her policies.
No it wasn’t, if you were from north Dublin you would know why she really got in
Paul there is no recovery we are just coping very well.
People are hammering their credit cards again and our debts are rising.
the EU and US are falling into recession its just that no one has noticed yet.
And people are calling enda the idiot,he led a lot of people up the garden path again,and they followed him.
Just goes to show that we give goverments too much authority over us and we get screwed. The govt was suppose to use its golden share to protect ireland inc. Prices to heathrow will rise, numbers fall they will say demand is down, slots will be sub leased, ireland inc will suffer, willy w will have his revenge for getting shafted. Sad day for our future as an island. FG/Lab shaft is once more – complete incompetents
are SF loading up their NY slush fund in Aer Lingus stock as it is so cheap and undervalued?
put your mouth where your money is werejammin or people might just think you are an empty vessel wailing nonsense.
Just ask yourself where is British Airways now – gone amalgamated into British Airways and routes closed and slots leased…….
Oops……British Midland
There are a number of observations I’d like to make about the sale objections;
1. They are the same crew who predicted the economic demise of Ireland and attempts to bring public spending into line. Unemployment below 10% and employed numbers above 2.0m again must be a sickener. 5% economic growth and increased property prices (a reflection of economic confidence and demand) must also be a real sickener.
2. They wanted TEAM Aer Lingus to be continued having already cost the taxpayer €300m. They objected to all the changes driven through by Mr Mueller. They wanted the taxpayer to fund the Aer Lingus insolvent pension fund because of the early retirees with ridiculously generous pension funds.
3. Have they ever run a business or started a business? Haven’t a clue what it takes.Almost all live off taxpayer dependent jobs as TDs, Councillors, public sector employees and the ultimate no hopers “community workers”. Whatever they are???
4. For a business to grow and survive it must continuously grow and reinvent itself. Aer Lingus, like many state enterprises forgot how to do this until forced to do so by events. Product differentiation and market segmentation are not just theoretical concepts as proven by Ryanair.
5. They pressured Bertie and Burke in their constituencies to keep supporting Aer Lingus at the cost of the poor. Money poured in for years.
6. The older Aer Lingus is dead and gone thank goodness. They robbed us.
No one says that it was Willie Walsh that was head over Aer Lingus and he turned it around and when he did that these ones here got rid of him and then he went to the U.K. and did the same thing there, what is wrong with him then???
If he can work miracles then why not have him or do certain politicians not like him, the same ones that got him removed??? Anyway we took loans from the IMF and when you do that then the IMF tells you to privatise everything, that is what they do, look at Greece?
This is being forced through at pace with no consultation in Dail because sterling has not been this strong in about 12 years and AIG want to pounce before it weakens now the UKhas announced is going to have a EU referendum. Once they have Aer lingus watch prices rise – why is it that ryan air were blocked but BA/IAG bid not…….. hmmmmm, don’t forget commercial emails and calls were being intercepted by our close neighbours for years….. this is in no way good for ireland inc….
Jobs – balance that against the number who emigrated in last 5 yrs and how many are job bridge, zero hours….seriously….
Property price rises – oh yes another bubble lets celebrate that , have you learned nothing
I like aerlingus as it is, if you dont then fly BA or worse still Ryan air
etc………..
Hearing FF ramble on about this deal is laughable after they offloading 75% of the company for a lesser price with no guarentees.
As for ex Aer Lingus worker Claire Daly wasn’t herself and Wallace trying to close down Shannon with illegal tresspassing tactics not too long ago.
I always assumed the poor people flew in the back of the British Airways planes…
If you had a business employing thousands to run would you hire Clare Daly, Dessie Ellis or Ruth Coppinger as the CEO?
Are we going to regret selling our national carrier like we did when we sold our Fish quotas to Europe , (They have done well out of us by the way , the EU have made more money from OUR fish alone , than we did from their cohesion funds for our roads) , Our so called NON oil and Gas that Ireland DONT produce , yet there are oil rigs out at seas and pipelines being built ….and finally our beloved Lotto was sold to a Canadian teachers pension fund for around the same amount as the crumbs that the Government will make for Aer Lingus…..Whats next ? , is nothing sacred anymore in this “Everything must go ” Ireland ????
lets sell all our assets and depend on foreign direct investments. No visionary’s in this goverment!
have your say