RYANAIR CHIEF executive Michael O'Leary last night outlined his case for a merger with Aer Lingus to be allowed proceed at a meeting with Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
Mr O'Leary met the Minister and officials from his department at Leinster House at about 7pm last night to make his case for the €748 million deal to get the green light.
It is understood that the meeting lasted for about 40 minutes and was cordial.
Mr Dempsey is believed to have outlined to the Ryanair delegation, which included deputy chief executive Michael Cawley and an adviser to the airline, that, as the Government was a large shareholder in Aer Lingus, he was under "significant constraints" as to his level of engagement at the meeting.
The meeting was described as a "listening exercise" by the Minister, who was accompanied by the department's secretary general Julie O'Neill and a legal adviser.
It is understood that Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan received a letter yesterday from Ryanair seeking a meeting, for which no date has yet been set.
Mr Dempsey has said he will not comment publicly on the issue until Ryanair's offer document has been published.
This is expected to happen next week.
Speaking to RTÉ radio yesterday morning, Mr Lenihan said Ryanair "has made an offer which we will have to carefully consider".
He added that "the Government will have to be very, very careful how they dispose of this very valuable national asset".
Ryanair has bid €1.40-a-share for Aer Lingus, half the amount of its first offer in October 2006. This would value the Government's 25 per cent shareholding at about €187 million.
Mr O'Leary has said he will guarantee Aer Lingus's Heathrow slots and will operate the airline separately from Ryanair. He has also said Ryanair would add 33 aircraft to Aer Lingus's short-haul fleet and create 1,000 new jobs at the airline.
Mr O'Leary added that he would cut short-haul fares by 5 per cent and would axe Aer Lingus's long-haul surcharge.
