D-DAY is approaching for a Government decision on the chair of the Aer Lingus board, with Bernie Cahill's term running out next month. The Margin's man in the mile-high club says that Bernie is letting it be known that he wouldn't mind staying on.

The decision for Minister Michael Lowry and his colleagues is whether to leave Mr Cahill - an appointee of the previous government - in place, or to opt for a new chairman. The current industrial turmoil at the group, along with Bernie Cahill's experience in helping to pilot the airline through its current troubles, mean he probably has a reasonable chance of staying on. But if the Government decides otherwise, there will be no shortage of willing candidates for the plum position.