The Dáil's beginning a two-day debate on the sale of Aer Lingus ahead of a crucial vote tomorrow afternoon.

The Taoiseach and Transport Minister have spoken out in support of the deal - saying it offers more certainty about the future of the airline than is currently the case.

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh agrees and says Aer Lingus will have a better future if it is part of a larger and more resilient group of airlines that can weather any future difficulties in the industry.

But some backbenchers are yet to be convinced - and may vote against the deal when a final vote is called tomorrow.

While IAG also says it will create up to 700 new jobs by the year 2020, some backbenchers believe that those jobs would be created anyway - and have fears about the political impact of the 50 jobs that would be lost as part of the sale.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: