A Cabinet decision on the future funding of Aer Lingus has been put back until the New Year.
Ministers had promised a decision by Christmas but the issue will not now be settled until next month
The imminent departure of Chief Executive Willie Walsh and his management colleagues put pressure on the Government to make a decision on the future funding of Aer Lingus, which needs up to €1bn to modernise its fleet.
A special Cabinet subcommittee met to examine the issue amid opposition charges that the Coalition had been dragging its feet.
A number of ministers promised that a decision would be made by Christmas, but now it seems that deadline will be missed.
Today's Cabinet mandated Transport Minister Martin Cullen to consult with the unions and other stakeholders in the airline with a view to reporting back to Cabinet by the end of January.
It is likely the Government will be proposing a partial flotation on the stock exchange as a means of raising the funds but a final decision is now pushed into next year.
