Ryanair’s approach to IAG’s bid for Aer Lingus will be very significant in whether the government decides to sell its stake in the former flag carrier, Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton was quoted as saying yesterday.

International Consolidated Airlines Group’s (IAG) proposed a €1.36 billion bid was recommended by Aer Lingus in January but is conditional on the support of the airline’s two main shareholders, rival Ryanair and the Irish state.

The Sunday Times newspaper reported that the government-appointed group examining the bid will recommend a sale of the state’s 25 per cent stake, but it will only be presented to Cabinet if Ryanair first signals its intention to sell.

“It is not just the government which is involved in this. There is a significant stake held by Ryanair and how they approach that will be very significant in any decision being made,” Burton was quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.

“Clearly, there are ongoing issues in relation to Ryanair and the approach that they take.”

Ryanair, which said little publicly about the sale, asked in March for details of IAG’s plans for Aer Lingus, including possible remedies to competition concerns, before it decides whether to accept the proposed offer for its 30 per cent stake.

A spokesman for Ryanair said on Sunday that its board will consider any offer “if and when an offer is made”.

The transport minister was awaiting the final report from the group of government officials appointed to assess the proposal and expected to bring the matter to a conclusion in the coming weeks, a spokeswoman said.