There was cautious optimism last night among Ministers and officials that the Cabinet would finally agree on the sale of a majority of Aer Lingus and the development of Dublin airport when they meet this afternoon.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday, in relation to a deal: "I think we're effectively nearly there. We haven't finalised it until the Government finalises it but we're making good progress."
However, when asked if a decision would come today he said: "Maybe not [ today]but soon."
After months of disagreement between Fianna Fáil and the PDs on the issue, Mr Ahern told reporters in Warsaw yesterday: "I've no differences with the Tánaiste. All the Tánaiste and I want to see is an effective and efficient Dublin airport for the future and we're working to get a resolution of that. Whether it's tomorrow or not, it will be soon."
The agreement is expected to involve the same of a majority of Aer Lingus. It will also involve the building of a second terminal at Dublin airport by the Dublin Airport Authority, with that body being allowed tender in a competition to determine who will run it.
It will include a commitment to a third and independently operated terminal. This will be given credibility by the inclusion of some commitments to develop roads necessary for a third terminal to operate.
The issue is not listed on the Cabinet agenda for today, nor has it yet appeared on the supplementary agenda which contains late additions. However, Government sources said last night this was not of great significance, and if a deal has been done between the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, the matter can be put on the Cabinet agenda late and passed in a matter of minutes.
Some Government sources said last night that officials would continue to discuss the matter today. Others said the deal was done and only needed Cabinet approval. Official spokespeople would not say whether or not they thought today would see agreement, having incorrectly predicted agreement in the past.
Speaking to reporters in Warsaw yesterday, Mr Ahern said he wanted not just a second terminal but "a longer-term vision, not only for the issue of the terminal but all the planning of the airport - the new runway, the road structure, all the developmental issues that feed into Shannon, that feed into Cork, the regional airports."
He said the growth in the home population and in passenger numbers had been so dramatic it made it difficult to plan ahead.
"So what I'd like to do on aviation issues is to go way beyond this line and if I'm criticised in 20 years time that it's too big, well, I'd rather take that than having it too small at the moment."