The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, was briefed yesterday about the situation in Aer Lingus, where the chief executive Mr Michael Foley has been effectively suspended.

Ms O'Rourke declined to comment last night about her meeting with the airline's chairman, Mr Bernie Cahill.

A sub-committee of the airline's board has been empowered to take such action as deemed necessary in the light of a report which upheld two complaints of sexual harassment against Mr Foley.

Mr Foley has until Friday to make a submission to the subcommittee.