When I appointed the Executive Chairman of Aer Lingus on 9 March I asked him to prepare, as soon as possible, a strategy for the company which would return it to commercial viability. He has informed me that Aer Lingus management and consultants are still analysing all elements of the company's business. This analysis, when completed, will form the basis of the strategy. At each of my subsequent meetings with the Executive Chairman I have impressed upon him — and he accepted — the need for urgency in preparing the strategy. However, I have not given him a specific deadline for doing so. While the Executive Chairman has kept me briefed on the type of analysis being carried out, I do not have any specific details he and the board purpose to present to me.