For regular travellers, there was a certain irony in Aer Rianta announcing plans for a £100 million (#127 million) loop line at Dublin Airport at the same time as telling those present it was four years behind with its building programme.

The State airports authority chairman, Mr Noel Hanlon, assured customers that plans for a line connecting the passenger terminal, cargo facilities, car parks and vehicle hire areas would not lead to the same chaos that nearly led to staff walking off the job. Maybe not but given its recent history of company care, it would be no surprise if the loop ran in such a way that travellers heading to or from the car park were forced to travel to the cargo areas, car hire and any other out-of-the-way stops to find their way on to the route.