Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
If only oneworld carriers can be used for BA's multi-partner awards, then what the agents told you is incorrect. If non-oneworld carriers like EI and AS can be included on multi-partner awards, then what the agents told you is correct. I suggest that you call back and find out which it is.
If EI can be included on a multi-partner award, then PIT-ORD-DUB-ORD-PIT should cost 60,000 Avios per person in Coach as a multi-partner award.
If you are thinking of sticking with what you already have, you should ask the BAEC agent what would happen if your PIT-ORD flight were canceled or delayed, causing you to miss the ORD-DUB flight. Would BA "protect" you, or would you lose the ORD-DUB and DUB-ORD flights because you were a no-show for the ORD-DUB flight?
Good luck, and please let us know what you learn.