Sir, - Aer Lingus, our national airline, is one of the innovations of that great Irishman Seβn Lemass. A man, incidentally, who left political life as poor as he entered it.
The progress of Southern Ireland and its achievements to date are due in no small measure to his foresight. He inherited a poorly developed agricultural state - and just look at it today.
Aer Lingus is our airline, the property of the State and its citizens. It has employed thousands of our children and grandchildren over the years. A quality airline with high standards of pre-flight, in-flight and after-flight services. The profits are ploughed back in for reinvestment.
From what we read it seems that the airline is about to be sold off, and cheaply. No doubt, as with other national assets, it will end up in the hands of one or two individuals. Then it will be resold overnight to the highest bidder and lost to the State forever as will the proceeds of the sale which will probably end up overseas.
Financial intervention by government in commercial operations is prohibited by EU regulations. However, if a share option was given to every citizen of the State, the cost of which was taken directly from tax relief in the next budget, it would realise a great deal of money.
This money could then legitmately be given to Aer Lingus on behalf of its owners, the citizens of Ireland.
It is because of our policy of state ownership that companies have developed and persevered over the years. We as Irish people should support our State institutions and demonstrate our patriotism through our loyalty to them. By doing so they will re main in public ownership and benefit the many, rather than the few. - Yours, etc.
Annraoi MacCiara∅n, Dublin 13.