21st Dec 2006 07:00
Ryanair Holdings PLC20 December 2006 OFFER UPDATE LAPSE OF OFFER Ryanair Holdings plc announces that following today's decision of the EuropeanCommission to refer the acquisition of Aer Lingus to Phase II, Ryanair's Offerlapses, in accordance with the requirements of the Takeover Rules, withimmediate effect and all acceptances of the Offer received to date are void. Ryanair also announces that in the event of European Commission clearancefollowing its Phase II review, Ryanair intends to make a further offer for AerLingus ("Further Offer"). The making of any such Further Offer would requireconsent of the Panel to a derogation from the prohibition on making a furtheroffer within twelve months after the date on which the original Offer lapsed.The Takeover Rules Notes specifically provide that the Panel may grant itsconsent in circumstances where a previous offer has lapsed as a result of aPhase II enquiry by the European Commission and following approval by theCommission a new offer is made within 21 days of such decision. Ryanair will make further announcements when appropriate. Enquiries: Ryanair Telephone: +353 1 812 1212 Howard Millar Davy Corporate Finance Telephone: +353 1 679 6363 (Financial Adviser to Ryanair) Hugh McCutcheon Eugenee Mulhern Morgan Stanley Telephone: +44 20 74255000 (Financial Adviser to Ryanair) Gavin MacDonald Colm Donlon Adrian Doyle Murray Consultants Telephone: +353 1 498 0300 (Public Relations Advisers to Ryanair) Telephone: +353 87 255 8300 Pauline McAlester This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to offer topurchase or subscribe for any securities. The directors of Ryanair accept responsibility for the information contained inthis announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors ofRyanair (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case),the information contained in this announcement for which they acceptresponsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likelyto affect the import of such information. Any person who is the holder of 1 per cent. or more of any class of shares inAer Lingus or Ryanair may be required to make disclosures pursuant to Rule 8.3of the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules 2001 to 2005, as applied,with amendments by the European Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006. Davy Corporate Finance, which is regulated in Ireland by the FinancialRegulator, is acting exclusively for Ryanair and no one else in connection withthe Offer and Further Offer, and will not be responsible to anyone other thanRyanair for providing the protections afforded to clients of Davy CorporateFinance nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or Further Offer, thecontents of this document or any transaction or arrangement referred to in thisannouncement. Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited is acting exclusively for Ryanair and no one elsein connection with the Offer and Further Offer and will not be responsible toanyone other than Ryanair for providing the protections afforded to clients ofMorgan Stanley & Co. Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Offeror Further Offer, the contents of this document or any transaction orarrangement referred to in this announcement. Ends. Wednesday, 20th December, 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
RYA.L