Aer Lingus has confirmed that they have not been formally asked to vacate hangar six at Dublin Airport for Ryanair to use.

The Tanaiste spoke over the phone to Aer Lingus Chief Christoff Mueller last Tuesday to discuss the possiblity of Ryanair being accommodated there.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson says that the DAA would only ask them to vacate the building in specific circumstances, such as the development of the airport.

Speaking to Lunchtime on Newstalk following a meeting with Aer Lingus, Fine Gael TD James Reilly remained convinced a deal could be done.

“We have 300 jobs here – we’re not getting the best use of those hangers” he said.

“Another fact that emerged is they’ve only eight wide-bodied planes – it’d be rare for…two of the eight to be out of commission at any one time”.

“So there is a hanger there – hanger number three – which can accommodate a wide-bodied plane” he added.