I think it's only a matter of time because;
1. Aer Lingus will soon realise they are too small to survive alone,
The person who announced that they were too small to survive is the same person trying to buy them. His propaganda refers to one line in an analysts report. He fails to mention that the consolidation scenarios referred to in that report had one scenario with Aer Lingus still surviving in 2015 and one without. The one without was if oil was >$200 a barrel. Others now merely quote him without checking the reference.
2. Senior Aer Lingus staff will see the writing on the wall and cash in their share options before they drop significantly,
What writing on what wall would see turkeys vote for Christmas? Are you serious? Senior Aer Lingus staff would move to Abu Graib before working for him.
and
3. MOL will not give up
There is no dispute on this. Expect takeover attempts three and four to happen. Meanwhile the uncertainty will see Aer Lingus remain in limbo and Ryanair to continue contradictory decision making such as taking delivery of new and grounding old aircraft at the same time. Both airlines will struggle as a result of his inability to move on.
Be very sad when it happens