Indeed yes, but the A340-500 won't be joining Emirates until the end of 2002 and it might well make sense to get a foothold on the route until then.
Really, what I was getting at was the possibility of an Irish route, irrespective of whether it continues to New York, ORD or wherever. I understand that Birmingham JUST pipped Dublin as a choice of destination and wonder if it might be next on the hit list.