When Richard Branson was late for this week's briefing in Dublin on Virgin Express's plans for the Republic, everyone wanted to know why. Was one of Branson's own planes delayed? Did his private jet break down?

When a company representative told the assembled media that Mr Branson had flown over with Aer Lingus, the State airline might have feared the consequences of delaying the ubiquitous British entrepreneur.

However, another Virgin representative pointed out that Mr Branson himself missed an earlier flight because he got caught in traffic. Aer Lingus's time keeping had been perfect.