The Government has confirmed that it remains open to a sale of its 25% stake in Aer Lingus.
On Friday it emerged that British Airways parent company IAG had made an increased bid of €2.40 per share for the Irish airline. The higher offer - the second from IAG - has been rejected by the Aer Lingus board.
Today the Department of Transport said Aer Lingus was in an "offer period" under the Takeover rules and Minister Pascal Donohue would not make any statement on the matter.
But the statement added that the Government remained open to a sale of its shareholding.
It said the Government continued to manage its shareholding to "protect that State's interests and with the aim of maximizing the value of the shareholding."
Shares in the airline had jumped 10% on Friday, but were 3.3% lower by the close of business in Dublin trade today.
