THE chairman of Aer Lingus, Mr Bernie Cahill, has been re appointed for another five year term, putting paid to recent speculation that he would be replaced at the expiry of his term of office. There were suggestions yesterday that the current Bord na Mona chairman, Mr Pat Dineen, would move into the Aer Lingus chair. Announcing the re appointment, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Michael Lowry, said that Mr Cahill had made a notable contribution in overseeing the transformation of Aer Lingus in recent ears.

The Minister said that Aer Lingus is still faced with major challenges and added. "I have felt for some time that continuity of effective leadership will be an essential ingredient in the company's ability to meet these challenges.