The chief executive of DCC, Jim Flavin, received a special bonus of €150,000 "in recognition of the exceptional demands" placed on him during the year "arising from the successful defence of the action taken by Fyffes against DCC", according to DCC's annual report.

It was part of a total remuneration package of €1.625 million in respect of the year to end March 2006. This represented an increase of €320,000 on the previous year.

Fyffes took an unsuccessful civil case against Mr Flavin, DCC and two subsidiaries, alleging insider trading. The ruling is being appealed to the Supreme Court.

DCC chief financial officer Fergal O'Dwyer also received a special bonus to compensate for the demands made on him arising from the case. He received €100,000.

Mr Flavin's remuneration package comprised a salary of €806,000, a performance-related bonus of €510,000, the special bonus of €150,000, benefits of €38,000 and a pension contribution of €121,000. The maximum performance bonus possible under the remuneration rules for the year was 65 per cent of salary. Mr Flavin's performance bonus equals 63.27 per cent of his salary.

While the other executive directors' pension contributions went to a defined benefit scheme, Mr Flavin's went to a defined contribution scheme, according to the report.

The total paid to all board members was €4.1 million, up from €3.47 million in 2005.

Tommy Breen, managing director of DCC Energy and DCC Environmental, received a total package of €679,000, including salary of €346,000 and a performance bonus of €218,000 (63 per cent of his salary).

Kevin Murray, managing director, DCC Healthcare, received a total package of €678,000.

Mr O'Dwyer's total package was €719,000, including salary of €314,000 and a performance bonus of €198,000 (63 per cent).

The DCC board has seven non-executive directors, including chairman Alex Spain who was paid €142,000.