New research suggests that Irish executive salaries now rival those offered in many of Europe's wealthiest states. Data analysed by AGN International shows that Irish managing directors enjoy the fourth-highest salaries in the EU, after Italy, Denmark and Spain, with an average salary of £85,000 (#108,000).

Junior and senior sales representatives are, however, well down the scale when compared with their European colleagues coming in at 11th place. The average figures do not include bonuses, benefits in kind and other remuneration.