Unions are demanding an immediate meeting with the Government to discuss the long-awaited Goldman Sachs report on Aer Lingus which was published last night.
The report suggests a flotation (IPO) of Aer Lingus would be the most feasible way for the airline to raise capital as Government policy is that exchequer funds would not be provided to meet the airline's needs.
The report suggests the Government should retain a substantial minority stake which could take the form of a "golden share", where the Government would be able to block a takeover of the company.
The national industrial secretary of SIPTU, Mr Michael Halpenny, told the Irish Timeslast night that he hoped unions could meet the Cabinet sub-committee to discuss the report.
He said unions wanted access to all information about the future of Aer Lingus and not just the Goldman Sachs report. He said the SIPTU position remained unchanged - it strongly opposed any privatisation and it believed State investment should not be ruled out.