Aer Lingus meeting with Oireachtas committee stalled following row

Aer Lingus CE Lynne Embleton will face politicians later this month after a row stalled a meeting between the airline and an Oireachtas committee. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks postponed a meeting with Aer Lingus corporate affairs chief Donal Moriarty on Wednesday, after members demanded that Embleton appear. The airline confirmed subsequently that its recently appointed chief executive would appear before the committee on a date both sides agree. That is thought likely to be later this month. Members want to quiz the airline on plans to close its Shannon Airport base, with the potential loss of 126 jobs, and temporarily lay off staff at Cork in the autumn, while work goes ahead on the runway there. Aer Lingus said the committee last week asked for Embleton or a representative to appear on Wednesday. The company nominated chief corporate affairs officer Moriarty as Embleton was not available. “The Aer Lingus representative was available to appear today as requested to discuss the substance of the issues of concern to the committee and had submitted an opening statement on these issues,” an airline statement said. “The committee has now informed Aer Lingus that it does not wish to hear from the nominated representative and has asked that the Aer Lingus chief executive officer appear.”<br/>