However, transport minister Martin Cullen has so far refused to disclose what stake the government intends to hold in the airline after a planned flotation in September. He has said the government will retain at least 25.1% so as to have input into strategic decisions on the airline's future. The government owns 85.1% of the carrier, with staff holding the remainder.

Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell said last week that while the party was in favour of the flotation "in principle", it wanted more details on "fundamental issues" surrounding the sale.

Mitchell told the Sunday Tribune that unless the minister gives more details on the precise size of the stake the government intends to retain and the lowest price at which it will float the shares, Fine Gael is unlikely to give approval. She also said she wants the minister to outline the government's longer-term intentions regarding its stake.

Aer Lingus hopes to raise at least 400m to fund a 1bn fleet expansion so it can open new long-haul routes to US destinations and possibly the Far East. It has also said it will set aside roughly 100m from the flotation to tackle a deficit in the company's pension scheme.