Offered a directorship on the board of a state company? Think it's a cushy number? Well be careful! The Bord na Mona annual report shows that the board met no less than 16 times between April 1996 and March 1997, with the extra meetings relating to the long-running Eddie O'Connor saga.

Five brave souls attended all of the 16 meetings, with two attending 15 meetings. The row, of course, was over Eddie O'Connor's remuneration package. He was replaced by Paddy Hughes last August.

And clearly the new managing director is getting a few bob extra as the managing director's remuneration for management services rose to £185,000 in the most recent year from £162,000 the previous year.