A subcommittee of the Aer Lingus board met yesterday after an inquiry upheld two complaints of sexual harassment against its chief executive, Mr Michael Foley.
It wrote to Mr Foley last night advising him that he was not required to attend work or perform his duties pending the outcome of its deliberations.
Sources said there was an expectation that the subcommittee would complete its business before the next scheduled meeting of the Aer Lingus board on May 31st.
The subcommittee has been mandated by the board to act with its full authority to take such action as deemed appropriate arising from the report.
Mr Foley has rejected the report, by a separate board subcommittee, and described its findings as perverse in the light of the evidence before it.
His spokesman last night said he remained determined to retain his position.
The spokesman said Mr Foley did not regard the subcommittee's instruction as effectively suspending him, though airline sources said that was its effect.
Senior managers in the airline are now answering directly to its chairman, Mr Bernie Cahill.
When asked whether Mr Foley would consider seeking an injunction to block the effect of the letter, his spokesman said: "Nothing has been ruled out and nothing has been ruled in. He will take whatever action is required, including legal action, to clear his name."
He added: "Mr Foley will be examining the issues raised in the letter over the weekend and will take whatever measures are necessary to clear his good name."
Mr Foley's lawyers wrote to their counterparts at Aer Lingus on Thursday night stating that he was entitled to appeal the findings of the original inquiry under the terms of the airline's policy on respect and dignity in the workplace. His lawyers requested that an appeal be conducted by an individual or individuals appointed by the Bar Council or the Law Society.
The original inquiry was established last February after a worker-director, Mr Joan Loughnane, alleged sexual harassment against Mr Foley. It also investigated separate allegations of sexual harassment which were made in March by a member of the airline's head office staff.
