Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport next week to give details on its plans to take over Aer Lingus.
The committee confirmed today that Mr O'Leary will come before it on Thursday morning to answer questions on how the airline will maintain competition if the merger is successful, and the potential impact on regional airlines and airports.
"The committee sees regional airports and the need for regional airlines such as Aer Arann to continue as critically important and a key component in the successful implementation of Government regional policy," chairman of the committee, Frank Fahey, said.
"While there was much opposition to Ryanair's previous attempt to take over Aer Lingus, it is important that the proposal should be carefully considered and both parties are given the opportunity to present their respective cases. This meeting will afford members of the committee the opportunity to examine the Ryanair bid in detail."
Meanwhile Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion today reiterated his opposition to the takeover.
He said Aer Lingus was not sale and there was unity among the board, the management and the staff at the airline.
"The reality of the competition in the Irish market is that it is even more intense today between these two carriers than it was two years ago, " he added.
Aer Lingus has also been invited to air its views to the Oireachtas committee, but Mr Fahey said the committee had yet to receive a response.
The airline has rejected Ryanair's bid of €1.40 a share, saying it significantly undervalued the airline at €748 million. Ryanair currently owns 29.8 per cent of Aer Lingus.
Earlier this week, the State's Takeover Panel ruled out some elements of Ryanair's offer, saying they could breach takeover rules by favouring one shareholder, the Government.
The panel said Ryanair's promises to hand over control over Aer Lingus's landing slots at London Heathrow to the State, abolish fuel surcharges and provide bank guarantees to cut the carrier's fares would favour the Government.
Aer Lingus's board is already seeking a "friendly" investor to take a majority stake in the business to help prevent any further bids from Ryanair for the airline if the current one is unsuccessful.