Decision deadline

One More Thing:It looks increasingly like the European Commission could put Dermot Mannion and Michael O'Leary out of their misery on June 27th, a week earlier than the July 4th deadline set for a decision on the phase two investigation of Ryanair's proposed takeover of Aer Lingus.

On Monday, the advisory committee (Adcomm) to the commission's competition arm will meet to deliberate. Adcomm comprises members from national competition authorities across the European Union. High on the agenda is Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus. Adcomm's advice is then forwarded to the political advisers of each of the commissioners, including Charlie McCreevy. It is then placed before the so-called college of commissioners, a meeting held every Wednesday.

Informed sources tell us that the Ryanair-Aer Lingus issue is likely to be go before the commissioners on June 27th.

That's when the fun and games should begin given that O'Leary's threat to take the commission to court if it rejects any merger or rules that Ryanair should sell some or all of its shareholding in Aer Lingus.