Hello, thank you for the discussion.

I sent Aer Lingus a polite but firm response setting out that compensation was due as the flight departed et cetera. And furthermore, they owed the money irrespective, as it was promised for voluntarily deboarding.

We received a prompt response that completely ignored what I said.
The customer service agent said

"Flight EI936 was disrupted due to extreme weather. As such, this cancellation was due to 'extraordinary circumstances' within the meaning of Regulation EC 261/2004, and consequently, no compensation is due in respect of this cancellation"

I have a feeling that they didn't even bother to read my response. This is beyond frustrating. It is like trying to argue with a brick wall.

Does anyone have any further advice on what to do now? I presume we need to go to some sort of ombudsman, which I will read into shortly.