IAG’s Walsh to meet Donohoe to discuss Aer Lingus bid

International Consolidated Airlines' Group (IAG) chief executive Willie Walsh will discuss his company's €1.36 billion bid for Aer Lingus with the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, on Wednesday.

Mr Walsh will be spending the next two days bidding to convince the Government and Oireachtas members to support IAG's proposed €2.55 a-share offer for the Irish airline.

The Government holds a 25.1 per cent stake in the business on behalf of the State, while the Dáil has approve any sale of that interest.

Mr Donohoe confirmed earlier that he is meeting Mr Walsh on Wednesday afternoon.

The minister has already said that the Government will not only consider the price on offer, but also the implications of a takeover for the Republic’s access to international markets.

He stressed that the coalition would evaluate IAG’s proposed bid on the basis of those criteria and all the information available to it.

IAG is offering the Government and business groups a legally-binding veto over the sale of the airline’s landing and take-off rights at Heathrow Airport, which are seen as critical to international access.

It is also willing to guarantee that they will be used exclusively to service Irish routes for five years.