A proposed television debate on the merits of the proposed Ryanair takeover bid for Aer Lingus has had to be cancelled after the Takeover Panel advised both airlines not to appear on the programme.
The showdown between Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion and his Ryanair counterpart Michael O'Leary was to take place on the Prime Time programme this evening.
However, RTÉ was informedlate this afternoon that the Irish Takeover Panel has given a direction under the Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997 to both Aer Lingus and Ryanair not to participate in the programme.
In a letter to the national broadcaster, the Irish Takeover Panel said that: "Participation by representatives of either Aer Lingus or Ryanair in the Prime Time programme would therefore result in a breach of the Panel's statutory direction to the parties".
Mr Mannion and Mr O'Leary both announced they would be unable to participate in the programme after being informed of the letter..
However, Prime Time will still broadcast a report on the proposed takeover bid this evening which will be followed by a panel discussion in studio.
