"There are important considerations to be taken into account in addition to price, competition, connectivity and jobs among those criteria," he said in a statement. "We will engage with IAG on these issues in the coming days."

Aer Lingus's AERL.I board has recommended an improved 1.36 billion-euro (1 billion pounds) takeover offer from International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) ICAG.L, the Irish airline said earlier on Tuesday.

Aer Lingus said its recommendation is subject to being satisfied with how IAG proposes to address the interests of the relevant parties, its two largest shareholders, budget airline Ryanair RYA.I and the Irish government.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by Stephen Addison)