Firstly, VA aircraft are regular visitors to FLS in Dublin, to have various mods done, so I wouldn't attach too much to that.
Secondly, why should Mr. Bishop's trip to the IOM have anything to do with Virgin?
Thirdly, given the generally favourable reaction (judging by this board alone, which isn't always uniformly enthusiastic), there is clearly a welcome for such a move. It also makes a lot of sense; both are good quality carriers with a complementary route system and I would hope that both RB and MB would recognise that whatever their past differences, a deal between them would make sense, for both carriers.