No sign of sweetness and light at the end of the ISME tunnel yet. Months of in-fighting, claims and counter-claims about expenses, culminating in the resignation of founding members, has left the organisation in a sorry state - image-wise if nothing else. The matter is expected to be resolved once and for all within the next week, when former chief executive Frank Mulcahy and the finance subcommittee which was set up to investigate the matter, finally agree a figure.

The national council members - six of whom resigned last week - alleged that he owed ISME £20,000, while Mr Mulcahy, who engaged the services of a forensic accountant claimed the difference was about £3,000. Either he is owed approximately this amount by ISME or vice versa, he has maintained.

The organisation's annual conference, which takes place in two weeks, will provide members with an opportunity to lambaste all and sundry.

This year's closing speaker is Mr Dermot Quigley, chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. No doubt, he has been watching the recent tussle with some interest.