Greencore chief executive, Mr David Dilger was paid €966,000 last year, according to the company's newly-published 2003 annual report.

Mr Dilger's remuneration package, which was worth 50 per cent more than in 2002, included a basic salary of €504,000 and a performance-related bonus of €396,000.

Mr Patrick Kennedy, Greencore finance director, saw his total pay rise by 73 per cent to €628,000 last year. Mr Kennedy, who was appointed to his current position in the course of 2002, received €307,000 as a basic salary and €253,000 in performance-related payments.

Greencore's chief operating officer, Mr Tony Hynes, was paid a total of €572,000 last year, up 105 per cent on 2002. Mr Hynes's basic salary was €288,000, while his performance-related bonus amounted to €234,000.

Seven Greencore executive directors shared a total pay package of €2.7 billion last year. Nine non-executives shared €3.1 billion.