Aer Lingus: Irish parliament to vote on airline's sale

The Irish government owns 25% of the airline

The Dáil [Irish parliament] is to vote later on whether or not to approve the sale of the state's share in Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus is the subject of a takeover offer from airline group IAG.

The Irish government agreed on Tuesday to sell its 25% share after receiving promises over jobs and key traffic routes.

The deal requires approval by the Dáil, but opposition party Fianna Fáil object to the sale and want the vote delayed.

Aer Lingus management moved to reassure Labour Party TDs [MPs] that it would not introduce compulsory redundancies or outsource employment.

Ryanair, which owns 29.8% of Aer Lingus, has yet to reveal whether it will accept an offer from IAG.

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh has said Belfast could benefit from its takeover of Aer Lingus.