Certain figures at Independent House have indicated that they don't regard the creation the Irish Examiner as a serious threat to the franchise of the Irish Independent.

But the tone and frequency of comments from Middle Abbey Street could also suggest that the opposite may be the case. The ultimate test, of course, will lie in the circulation figures.

But The Margin was intrigued this week to hear Independent chairman, Dr Tony O'Reilly, remark at the group's a.g.m. that the Irish Examiner should not be called anything other than the Examiner.

This may or may not raise the ire of the Corkonians, who are keen to bring the fight to the Indo.

It's a wonder, however, that Dr O'Reilly did not go all the way and call for the restoration of the Cork Examiner.