Members of Aer Lingus’s SIPTU branch will march on the Dáil today in protest at the airline’s recent decision to let go 2,000 staff.
Protesters are due to gather at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 1 p.m. today and expected to arrive at the Dáil at 1.30 p.m.
A SIPTU spokesman told ireland.comtoday he was not certain how many members would turn up for the protest, as many would be at work today in Aer Lingus. He said those who could join the march would be bussed in from the airport.
The spokesman added today’s action is being taken to voice workers’ concerns over the impending redundancies, but said he didn’t know what the protest might achieve.
Meanwhile the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs Mary O’Rourke, faced down fierce criticism in the Dáil last night after she revealed that up to 35 per cent of the airline is now for sale. The Government will retain the majority holding in the company.
According to The Irish Timesthe Opposition accused Mrs O'Rourke of being involved in a "classic asset-stripping arrangement" if she allowed the partial sale of Aer Lingus and did not provide rescue and restructuring aid.
Mrs O’Rourke was told she had failed the country and the Aer Lingus workers.