Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has said any decision the Coalition makes on the sale of Aer Lingus would be based on the national interest.
He said there was a keen awareness of the importance of regional connectivity and that this would be one of the aspects that would inform the Government decision.
Mr Bruton dismissed speculation that there was a split between the Government parties.
He said the Cabinet was determined to come to a position on Aer Lingus in the best interests of all stakeholders.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said as he is the shareholder on behalf of the State he is precluded from making comment when the issue is in an "offer period".
However, he reiterated that the Government's position on any sale will be taken in the national interest, taking issues such as connectivity, investment and jobs into account.
The comments come a day after Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe insisted that access and jobs would be core considerations in deciding whether the Government sells its 25.1% share in the airline.
Mr Donohoe said any decision made on the future of Aer Lingus would have political consequences.
He acknowledged that the retention of slots at Heathrow Airport had to be considered.
There is concern among some north Dublin TDs that the loss of the Heathrow slots could have an effect on jobs in the area.
Business and tourism groups have expressed similar concerns.
International Airlines Group, the parent group of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, has made an offer of €2.55 per share.
Earlier bids of €2.30 and €2.40 per share were rejected.
The board of Aer Lingus said earlier this week that it is willing to recommend to shareholders that they accept the €1.37 billion offer.
Representatives of IAG met Government officials to discuss the offer earlier this week.
The UK-based airline is engaged in a due diligence with Aer Lingus, which allows it examine the Irish company's accounts.
The share price of Aer Lingus has fallen again today amid increasing opposition about the offer from IAG.
It was also revealed today that Qatar Airways has bought nearly 10% of IAG.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said the employment issue is a very important one in relation to the possible sale.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, he said there will be a regional impact in terms of investment in certain parts of the country.
Mr Martin also emphasised the importance of the Heathrow slots to Ireland.
"The Heathrow slots are fundamentally strategic to the country," he said.
"The protection of the Heathrow slots and that connectivity is essential and the rationale, in our view, arising from that strategic consideration is not to sell the 25% that the country has in Aer Lingus."
Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Jerry Buttimer has said if IAG is not willing to provide cast-iron guarantees on connectivity, then he believed Aer Lingus should not be sold.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Buttimer said the issues being raised by him and other concerned parties needed to be taken on board by the Government.
He said the inter-departmental group that has been set up to examine the issues involved needed to apply due diligence and more information needed to be obtained from AIG about their offer.
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