Madam, - Liam Meade & Tony MacGabhann (September 11th) are quite right to assert that Aer Lingus is now independent of the State - but why, then, does the Government retain 25 per cent of the shares? This implies to the outside world and to potential investors in the Shannon region that the Government still retains an interest in the company.
The Government's stance on Aer Lingus will look like a vote against the Shannon region and the sooner it disposes of its share the better. - Yours, etc,
PATRICK ROWLEY-BROOKE,
St Mary's Rectory,
Nenagh,
Co Tipperary.
Madam, - Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has told Clare county councillors in a letter that company directors are not obliged to follow any directions from the shareholders in relation to business matters (The Irish Times, September 11th).
This is very misleading. The shareholders are the owners and the directors are the managers. To suggest that directors can resist a majority decision of the shareholders is patently absurd. Mr Dempsey's letter shows that in this instance the Government does not want the rights that their shareholding carries.
Michael O'Leary of Ryanair has been accused of being "up to no good" in calling for an Aer Lingus egm. Yet it is arguable that O'Leary and Ryanair have done more for inward investment and tourism in Ireland over the past decade than Bord Fáilte and the IDA combined, by virtue of the tens of millions of visitors and workers Ryanair have brought to these shores.
Whatever you might think about the man, what you see is what you get; and, unlike some Irish businessmen and politicians, he pays his taxes in Ireland.
I wonder does he have any political ambitions? He'd be great in Transport! - Yours, etc,
DEREK RYAN,
Sion Road,
Gleanageary,
Co Dublin.