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The Briefcase: Shamrock for sale, an Apple record and some new Greeks in town

This was the week in business.

Covert Uzi Briefcase HillTrucker HillTrucker

EVERY WEEKEND, TheJournal.ie asks its readers to put their feet up and take a look back at all the goings-on from the world of business.

Once again it’s time to delve deep inside The Briefcase for all the important – and sometimes less-important – financial news that has come out this working week:

Need to know

After more than a month of circling one another in a kind of airline dance of the seven veils, a marriage between Aer Lingus and British Airways parent company IAG moved a step closer to consummation this week.

This time the price on the table was right - €2.55 a share, valuing the Irish national carrier at about €1.35 billion.

The catch – and it’s a big one – is getting agreement from the government to hand over its 25% share in the airline willingly.

Aer Lingus Boeing 737-500 Deanster1983 who's mostly off for a while Deanster1983 who's mostly off for a while

All the major political parties except Fine Gael – including many TDs from its coalition partners at Labour – have voiced their opposition to the deal, variously citing jobs, connections and the broad “strategic interest” of keeping a major piece of the airline.

Add to that chorus of opposition the trade unions, pilots’ union and various regional bodies, and it appears IAG has a whole lot of trouble on its hands.

Popular opinion also seems to be running against the deal, which would lead to the government taking away about €340 million for its stake, if our poll from this week is anything to go by:

Aer Lingus poll TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

But analysts who keep a close eye on airline dealings aren’t so sure the sale will be scuppered in the Dáil once IAG and its Irish boss Willie Walsh gets the chance to properly make its case on the hot-button issues.

That pitch is expected to cover everything from guarantees on where the airline flies to maintaining its distinctive brand and livery. Whatever happens, we hope these door handles are part of the deal:

Aer Lingus jaqian jaqian

Nice to know

Apple Animated GIF Giphy Giphy

Now you know

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Mcdonalds Animated GIF Giphy Giphy

One for the road

For this week’s foray into the world of video, we can’t go past this gem from our friends at The42.ie.

Taking advantage of the clear ignorance many members of staff from TheJournal.ie and DailyEdge.ie have when it comes to American football, they put together this package:

The42 Video / YouTube

50 points for a touchdown, eh? Morto.

Originally posted 31/01/2015

READ: A money-conjuring trick, billionaires’ paradise and so many buzzwords >

READ: Oil wars, Irish milk fans and glitter rage >

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