IAG's offer for Aer Lingus 'not persuasive' enough, says Irish minister

International Consolidated Airlines' (IAG) offer to buy a 25% stake in Aer Lingus was not persuasive enough, according to a senior Irish government minister.The Irish carrier's board recommended the £976m offer from IAG subject to government's approval, but the development has been met by staunch political opposition."It is up to IAG to make an offer that is persuasive in relation to the public interest here. And as of yet we don't have an offer that is persuasive enough," agriculture minister Simon Coveney said in an interview with Newstalk Radio on Friday.Earlier in February, an Irish parliamentary committee was told by IAG chief executive Willie Walsh that the consortium would not improve its offer.Aer Lingus shares were down 2.11% to €2.20 at 15:45 on Friday.