Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has assembled a stellar line-up of advisers. While Davy and Morgan Stanley are doing most of the heavy lifting, O'Leary has recruited Irish aviation analyst Joe Gill as a consultant on the takeover approach.

This didn't prevent Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion from giving Gill, who is on secondment from Bloxham Stockbrokers, a warm handshake in advance of yesterday's Oireachtas committee hearing.

Rumours that veteran industrial relations consultant Phil Flynn was advising on its strategy to win over trade union support were wide of the mark. "I don't think he'd ask me," Flynn said with a chuckle.

Shareholders in Irish Continental Group will probably have to wait until the new year to get sight of the terms of the joint offer from Moonduster and Eamonn Rothwell. Informed sources say details will surface in January, with Moonduster and Rothwell still talking to AIB, Bank of Ireland and Bank of Scotland about funding.

So relaxed is Philip Lynch about the bid that he is believed to be heading Down Under with his family for a long Christmas break. We assume he's not taking the ferry.

Former TV3 morning presenter Maura Derrane and Ian Noctor, who has held senior roles with Today FM and RTÉ radio, have defied the recession to set up a public relations business. Called Derrane Noctor, it will offer PR consultancy and media training.

Recession or not, the visitors continue to flock to the Guinness Storehouse.

The brewery attraction admitted its one millionth customer for this year in early November, the first time it has broken through the magic barrier in a calendar year. Cheers.

Tesco will open its 10 Express stores here on St Stephen's Day and its petrol stations. Every Little Helps.