7. —(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Air Companies Acts the Company may issue shares in accordance with the Companies Acts as part of one or more than one employee shareholding scheme.

(2) The Minister for Finance may, as part of one or more than one employee shareholding scheme, sell, transfer, exchange or surrender, redeem or otherwise dispose of shares in the Company held by him or her subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified by that Minister, and may enter agreements regarding any such shares.

(3) Before exercising the powers conferred on him or her by subsection (2) the Minister for Finance shall consult with the Minister.