Irish exporters urge government not to sell Aer Lingus

"60 million Irish emigrants all over the world". Sorry, IrelandNorth, your figure is wrong by a factor of about 60. It's impossible to calculate exactly, but best estimates are that there are maybe a million Irish emigrants throughout the world.

Why not sell Aer Lingus shares to the estimated 60 million Irish emigrants all over the world. As the country's flag carrier, it should be kept in Irish hands. They should be the first port of call for any proposal to sell any Irish public asset. It's a false economy to sell the family silver to shareholders who have no emotional bond to this country.

No, don't sell Aer Lingus. Instead, keep raising the ticket fares so that no one except the millionaires can afford an Aer Lingus flight. You are already the most expensive airline flying to Ireland.