The Government has been urged to intervene following Aer Lingus' announcement that up to 500 jobs could be cut at the airline.

Sinn Féin Enterprise, Tourism and Employment spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD said the Government should engage with Aer Lingus management and trade unions to explore ways of reducing the number of planned redundancies and to ensure affected workers are treated fairly.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Conway-Walsh called on the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, to work with all relevant stakeholders to protect jobs and ensure employees receive appropriate support, including full and fair redundancy packages where necessary.

Deputy Conway-Walsh said the airline's financial performance should be taken into account as efforts are made to safeguard employment. "This announcement this morning is devastating for the 500 workers who will be told their jobs are at risk and it will cause enormous worry and uncertainty for them and their families.

"The Government must now engage with Aer Lingus and all relevant stakeholders to explore every possible option to minimise the number of jobs that will be lost.

"Aer Lingus is a successful company, having recorded operating profits of €282m last year, while its parent company IAG enjoyed operating profits of over €5 billion. The workers in Dublin, Cork, Shannan and around the country who have contributed to that success deserve every effort being made to safe their jobs and protect their livelihoods.

"The Government must ensure that workers are treated fairly and with transparency, given robust redundancy packages, proper consultation and access to relevant supports. They must also commit to reforming statutory redundancy legislation for when mass layoffs like this occur.

"The immediate focus now must be on protecting these workers, safeguarding jobs at the airline and providing certainty for those whose futures have been thrown into doubt."