Little things . . .

A tender notice has been issued seeking submissions for a “facilities management contract” for the new Terminal 2 facility at Dublin airport, which is due to open in late 2010.

The “scope of services” to be included “may broadly comprise” cleaning, maintenance, operational support and security screening, the notice stated.

It remains to be seen who pitches their hat into the ring for the gig.

The Dublin Airport Authority, which owns the land and has built T2, is expected to tender for the work.

The State-owned airport manager must be a hot favourite to land the contract.

The competition is being run by a consortium of advisers – comprising Goodbody Corporate Finance, Matheson Ormsby Prentice and Mott MacDonald.

They have set a date of September 7th to kick off the beauty parade, although I’m told that it could be April before a winner is announced.

*One deal that quietly slipped under the radar last week was East Coast Radio's acquisition of Dublin's Country Mix.

The deal gives Seán Ashmore control of both stations, which have shared premises in Bray for the past few years. Ashmore was an investor in both entities and will own more than 70 per cent of the newly-enlarged East Coast Radio Ltd.

It was a paper transaction that gives Dublin’s Country Mix shareholders a stake of less than 10 per cent in East Coast.

Dublin’s Country Mix has racked up losses of about €3.5 million since going live in 2001. East Coast will be able to offset these losses against any future profits. East Coast is the only commercial radio station in Wicklow but is feeling the effects of the recession. Ashmore said ad revenues will be down this year by 10-20 per cent. “We’re seeing strong bookings for September, but that comes after a very soft summer,” he said.