The four executive directors of James Crean saw their combined remuneration rise from £850,000 to more than £1 million (€1.26 million) last year, an average of £250,000 each. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £24.3 million during the year.

The four directors - chairman and chief executive Mr Ray McLoughlin, chief operating officer Mr Martin Delaney, Mr Matt Kwasek and Mr Larry Westman - had their basic salaries increased from £684,000 to £706,000 and their pension contributions from £96,000 to £98,000. They also received a bonus of £197,000, compared to £70,000 in 1997.