A PLAN by RTÉ’s current affairs programme, Prime Time, to air a head-to-head debate last night between Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had to be dropped after intervention by the Irish Takeover Panel.
The watchdog gave a direction to both airlines instructing them not to appear in the current affairs programme as they risked being in breach of takeover rules.
Aer Lingus is currently the subject of a €748 million bid from Ryanair.
In a letter to RTÉ, the takeover watchdog said: “Participation by representatives of either Aer Lingus or Ryanair in the Prime Time programme would . . . result in a breach of the panel’s statutory direction to the parties.”
It is understood a suggestion that both chief executives be interviewed separately by Prime Time was also rejected. Neither Aer Lingus nor Ryanair was prepared to comment on the Takeover Panel’s decision last night.
One informed source said the airlines had been warned by the takeover body not to make any comment to the media.
Aer Lingus was understood to be “disappointed” and “frustrated” by the decision. It is understood Ryanair received advice from legal firm AL Goodbody that the Takeover Panel’s direction was not lawful.
In a letter to the airline, seen by The Irish Times, the law firm said the direction was based on a “misinterpretation” of the takeover rules by the panel.
Prime Time proceeded last night with a report on Ryanair’s €1.40-a-share cash offer for Aer Lingus, followed by a studio discussion between economist Jim Power, former Competition Authority director Pat Massey, and British aviation expert David Learmount. It is understood RTÉ planned to air the head-to-head debate last Thursday but Mr O’Leary had to travel to the US, resulting in the schedule switch.
