The Workers’ Party have described the government’s decision to sell its remaining 25% share in Aer Lingus as an act of treachery which would have far reaching and damaging consequences for the Irish economy.
Workers’ Party President Michael Donnelly said that Aer Lingus had been more than a national flagship for Ireland. The airline, he said, had built up a reputation which was a source of pride to Irish people the world over and was a vital cog in Ireland’s international connectivity with the world.
“For 80 years Aer Lingus was a symbol of Ireland. It was also key to the building of the economy of a country which was isolated and backward. Companies like Aer Lingus, the ESB and Bord na Mona were pioneers in their respective fields. Built from public funds and the labour of many thousands of Irish workers, these companies were the engine of our economy. Now all of them are being chopped up and the government is prepared to hand over a national asset to the very type of ‘market-force’ investors that nearly bankrupted the state eight years ago.
The Workers’ Party president said that the government parties should pay a high price in electoral terms for the decision to sell Aer Lingus. “This decision will cost many jobs both directly and indirectly and in particular in the hinterland of the three state airports which may be next to be privatised.
Concluding his statement, Mr. Donnelly said that the guarantees from the IAG consortium in relation to the Heathrow slots, the use of Cork and Shannon airports and job security were worthless and short-term promises. “These commitments are worthless. IAG will dispense with them at the time of their choosing and the government knows this. They are face saving confetti which will blow away in the first breeze of capitalist economic reality”, he stated.