Tanaiste Mary Harney has said it is not helpful for ministers to comment publicly on issues that have yet to be decided at Cabinet.
She was reacting to comments by Transport Minister Martin Cullen, who said that the sale of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus was the 'only way forward' for the airline. Speaking at a debate at the Irish Management Institute conference in Wicklow, Mr Cullen also indicated that he did not believe there needed to be competition within Dublin Airport.
Ms Harney said she still felt that competition at Dublin Airport remained the best way forward but that the issue had yet to be decided at Cabinet or settled between her and the Taoiseach.
Earlier Minister Cullen told the conference that he intended to present 'an integrated set of proposals' on the aviation sector to the Cabinet in the next few weeks.
The Minister said these proposals would cover the issue of new capital for Aer Lingus and the construction and operation of a second terminal at Dublin Airport.
Minister Cullen said selling a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus was the only way forward for the airline. He also said the second terminal at Dublin airport should be owned by the State. This would rule out a privately owned facility.
Minister Cullen also shared the stage with former Aer Lingus boss Willie Walsh who said the airline faced
a "bleak future" if its was not privatized.
Minister Cullen added that he did not believe the second terminal at Dublin Airport should be owned by a private company. However he has left the door open for the Dublin Airport Authority to own it and lease it to a commercial operator.
Minister Cullen said department officials were also working to achieve increased access for Irish airlines to the North American marketplace.
