Dear Minister,As you know, Aer Lingus has greatly recovered from its frail financial position as at September 2001 and today has an excellent board and management team.

My sincere thanks to you and your officials for all the assistance the board and management received during my tenure. Notwithstanding that my statement to the media in response to AIB's press release of May 27th, 2004, clearly states that I am tax compliant and that I have had no knowledge whatsoever or involvement in Faldor Ltd, nevertheless I am of the view that this whole issue draws adverse publicity on Aer Lingus as a State company by association. In light of this and in order to enjoy privacy for myself and my family in my retirement years, I resign from my position as chairman of Aer Lingus.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Mulcahy

Friday statement: May 28thMay 28th

"In response to questions from the media I would like to make the following statement:

I have no prior knowledge of or involvement in AIB Group's statement of May 27th. I am fully tax compliant. I understand that the issues which are the subject of investigations will be addressed by AIB Group and the relevant authorities and it would be wholly inappropriate of me to comment in any way."

Tom Mulcahy