The transport minister says the decision to sell Aer Lingus gives the government more guarantees than it already had.

Paschal Donohoe was commenting after ministers approved the sale of the government's 25% stake in the airline in a deal worth €335 million. 

The deal came after IAG said it intended to create 200 jobs at Aer Lingus next year - although 50 would be cut - and a total of over 600 jobs by the year 2020.

Minister Donohoe explains that IAG has also agreed to ringfence the use of the Heathrow slots for Irish routes for seven years: